Treemasters, a San Rafael tree care company serving Marin County for more than 35 years, is helping homeowners understand tree removal permits before they cut. In Marin, permit rules depend on a property’s specific location, and an unpermitted removal can bring fines and replacement requirements.
"Most homeowners don't know a permit is needed until someone tells them," said Tad Jacobs, owner of Treemasters and an ISA Certified Arborist. "The rules in Mill Valley aren't the same as Novato or the rest of Marin county. We'd rather sort that out before the saw comes out, not after."
Unincorporated Marin County
In unincorporated areas, the county protects dozens of native species once they reach a set trunk diameter, measured at 4.5 feet above the ground. A protected tree has reached the size where removal or major work requires a county permit, while a heritage tree is a larger, more established tree that faces stricter review and is typically removed only for reasons such as disease, hazard, or unavoidable construction.
Native oaks, willows, and Pacific madrone are protected at 6 inches and become heritage trees at 18 inches. Species such as coast redwood, California bay, Douglas-fir, and big-leaf maple are protected at 10 inches and become heritage trees at 30 inches.
If you live in unincorporated Marin County, homeowners need a tree removal permit if any of these apply:
- Removal of a third protected tree: On a standard developed lot, owners may remove up to two protected-size native trees within a rolling 12-month period. Removal of a third tree within that period requires a permit.
- Removal of a Heritage Tree: Removing a native tree of heritage size, such as a redwood measuring 30 inches in diameter or an oak measuring 18 inches DBH, requires a permit, even if it is the only tree removed that year.
- Removal on a vacant lot: Removing a protected tree of any size from vacant or undeveloped land requires a permit.
- Removal within a conservation area: Protected and heritage Trees within a Stream Conservation Area (SCA) or Wetland Conservation Area (WCA) require a permit for removal.
- Removal associated with regulated development: Clearing native trees for a building that requires county design review, a variance, or a housing compliance review requires a permit.
It’s important to note that some removals are exempt from the permit requirement, including trees that are in poor health, trees that are a hazard, and trees identified by a fire inspector as a fire hazard. Treemasters’ certified arborists are able to help evaluate a tree’s health and condition to help property owners determine whether an exemption may apply.
Mill Valley
Mill Valley protects heritage oak, tanbark oak, madrone, and coast redwood trees based on trunk size. A permit is required to remove a heritage tree, and heritage removals go through a public hearing. On developed lots, removing four or more trees over about 6 inches in diameter within 12 months also requires a permit. On vacant lots, the threshold drops to 4 inches. Fines for unpermitted removal start at $1,000 for non-heritage trees and $5,000 for heritage trees.
Novato
In Novato, a permit is required to remove, prune, or alter any heritage tree, defined as 24 inches or more in diameter. Removing a tree 6 inches or more in diameter on vacant land also requires a permit. Unlike the county and Mill Valley, Novato measures trunks 24 inches above the ground. Most applications require a 10-day public notice before the city makes a decision, and work cannot begin until 10 days after approval.
San Rafael and Other Towns
Requirements vary across San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon, Larkspur, and Marin's other towns. In San Rafael, tree work that requires closing the sidewalk needs an encroachment permit from the Department of Public Works. Homeowners should confirm their town's current rules before scheduling any removal.
Help With Tree Removal Permits in Marin
Treemasters handles tree removal permits in Marin for its clients. Its team can make arrangements with the city or town to obtain all applicable permits, and the permit fee is included in the estimate. The company's ISA Certified Arborists can also assess whether a tree qualifies for an exemption due to its health or condition.
Homeowners can schedule a no-obligation consultation by calling 415-449-0703.
About Treemasters
Treemasters is a San Rafael tree care company that has served the Marin County area for more than 35 years. Founded in 1987 by ISA Certified Arborist Tad Jacobs, the company's team of ISA Certified Arborists and tree climbers provides tree removal, pruning, stump grinding, land clearing, tree planting, plant health care, and 24/7 emergency service. Treemasters serves homeowners, businesses, and municipalities across Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Contra Costa, and Alameda counties. The company is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured California contractor (License #660226). Learn more at treemasters.com.
###
Media Contact
Treemasters
3175 Kerner Boulevard Suite A
San Rafael, CA 94901
Phone: 415-449-0703
Website: https://treemasters.com/
Source: 38 Digital Market News
Release ID: 2746760
