The City of Palo Alto is dedicated to the planting, maintenance and protection of it's greatest natural resource.

Regulated Trees

Palo Alto Municipal Code Title 8 protects certain trees on public and private property from removal or disfigurement. Privately owned trees that do not meet the following criteria may be removed or maintained without City review. The following categories are considered "Protected Trees":

City-owned trees.
 
All trees in public parking lots and City property, including 'street trees' growing between the street and property line, or within five feet (varies) behind the sidewalk. A permit is required from Public Works Operations for any work on or around street trees.
Individual trees of any size or species designated by City Council as a "Heritage Tree".
A property owner may nominate a tree that exhibits distinctive characteristics such as especially old, large, unique form or historical significance.
All evergreen Quercus agrigolia, (Coast Live Oak) and deciduous Quercus Lobata, (Valley Oak) that are 11.5-inches or greater in diameter (36-inches circumference) measured at 54-inches above natural grade. All Sequoia semervirnes, (Coast Redwood) which are 18-inches or greater in diameter (57-inch circumference) can easily be identified by the shape of their leaves.
Designated trees that are part of a zoning approval landscape plan. For example, trees which are part of a commercial development landscape are 'regulated trees'.

Removal Permits for Protected Trees

Removal of protected and heritage trees requires a City Planning Department permit and is allowed under specific conditions. The most common conditions that meet the criteria for removal of a protected tree are:

A protected tree on residential or non-residential property which is dead, hazardous or interfering with public property and verified by an arborist report submitted to the City by the property owner

A tree in which the trunk is located within or against a building footprint (for example, uplifting foundation, contact or damage to eaves, gutter, etc.)
On a vacant lot, a tree may be removed if it reduces the otherwise permissible buildable area by more than 25% as defined by Title 18 of the Zoning Ordinance
Except when an imminent emergency situation exists, to remove the tree a written approval permit is required to be on site during the removal. The following checklist of items needed for a Tree Removal permit will provide the information necessary for City review, approval, denial or conditions. The reviewing staff may also require additional information.

Violations

Pruning or maintaining a protected tree does not require a permit. However, any damaging actions such as pruning more than 25% of the canopy or roots is prohibited.

Permits

City street trees are maintained by Public Works Operations Department. Planting, pruning, root cutting or removal of street trees requires a permit
Protection of trees during development or remodeling is required before a building or grading permit will be issued
 
Neighbor Tree Conflicts

Invariably, trees do not conform to a property boundary and you may wish to exercise the right of self help to cut roots or branches that overhang your property. If the tree is protected, consult the Tree Technical Manual to determine if the action is allowed. After discussing the matter with your neighbor, you may trim trees that overhang your property. Be mindful, however, that you do not significantly injure the tree or cause unsafe conditions for which you can be held liable.

For complaints during normal business hours (Monday - Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.) call 329-2441.

For after hours and weekend complaints, call the Palo Alto Police Department at 329-2142 Non-life threatening complaints will be routed on the next business day.