The following information applies only to protected trees located on private property that are not associated with any construction projects. 

Please note that the City will not accept new applications to remove protected trees in advance when the reasons for removal indicate new construction, improvements, repairs, or remodelations that conflict with the trees, unless a development application is being submitted at the same time.

If you are planning to remove or prune a tree in the right-of-way (street tree), contact the Parks and Recreation Department, Tree Division to file the application.

Protected Tree removal applications

For Protected Tree Removals in the absence of development, submit an application through the CSS Portal. After your application is received, City staff will review all documents, including the reasons for removal, pruning specifications, project arborist recommendations, etc.

Tree removal applications should include the following items:

1. The removal application form signed by the property owner.
2. At least three clear photos of the tree (s). 
3. Pruning specifications from an ISA Certified Arborist for major pruning applications.
4. NOTE. An Arborist report from an ISA Certified Arborist is optional at the initial submittal; however, it may be required later by City Staff as supporting documentation or evidence of the tree(s)' condition and reason for removal. 

Before hiring an Arborist or submitting a report to the City, ensure the Consulting Arborist you hire is familiar with the City Code requirements and writes a professional report as outlined in the Arborist Report Checklist. 

Within 20 business days, City staff will respond or indicate if additional information/corrections are required. All corrections must be submitted online through a resubmittal. 

If your removal application is approved, all property owners from the abutting parcels will be notified, and a 10-day waiting period will follow to allow for appeals. If an appeal is received, it must be reviewed, and you will be notified.

If no appeals are received, you will receive an email alerting you that your permit is ready for issuance, pending the fulfillment of replanting conditions and other applicable fees.

Once the permit is issued, the posting must be displayed on the property's frontage.

Permits and Decision-Making Criteria for Tree Removal

The determination in granting or denying a permit is based on the criteria listed in Municipal Code Section 13.40.100(b)(3):

1. Current tree condition as well as potential impact to future tree condition;
2. Danger to people or property; 
3. Interference with existing structures or utilities; 
4. Necessity to remove the tree or trees in order to allow reasonable economic enjoyment of the property;
5. Effect of tree Removal on erosion and soil retention;
6. Effect of tree Removal on neighborhood; and
7. Number of trees a particular parcel can support in accordance with good forestry practices.

The City expects property owners to make reasonable efforts to mitigate conflicts with Protected Trees and to consider alternatives that could preserve them. Only if it can be demonstrated that alternatives are infeasible or inappropriate, a permit will be issued.

Major Pruning

Major pruning could mean any of the following options. Therefore, make sure that none of these apply if you are planning to prune any protected tree:

1. Cutting more than 25% of the crown or existing live foliage
2. Root cutting within a radius of six times the trunk diameter
3. Topping
4. Any other Pruning that has the potential to negatively affect the condition of a tree in accordance with the current editions of the American National Standards Institute A-300 Best Management Practices.

The application for major pruning must be sent to the City for approval before performing any work. Such applications shall include written pruning specifications by an ISA Certified Arborist. 

Pruning specifications should include the following elements, in as much detail as possible:

1. Species and location of the tree(s) to be pruned
2. Objective
3. Pruning System (what the tree will look like after pruning)
4. Types of branches to be removed (i.e. living, dead, mistletoe, diseased, long or leveraged)
5. Pruning amount - percentage or number of branches to be removed
6. Location in the crown where the branches will be removed
7. Pruning cut types to be used - Branch removal, reduction, heading
8. Size range of parts to be removed

For the best care of your tree, and to ensure a quick permit approval process, retain a contractor who: 

• Is an ISA Certified Arborist (www.treesaregood.org/findanarborist) 
• Understands and adheres to the ANSI A300 (Part 1) Standards revised in 2017 
• Understands and adheres to ISA Best Management Practices

Replacement Trees 

Protected trees removed with a valid permit shall be replaced with a tree species from the Official Replant List according to the table below. If tree replacements are required as a part of an approved building permit, the location and replacement species must be consistent with the approved plans.