CONTRA COSTA COUNTY

Protected trees

Review the FAQ's below for more details.

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PERMIT PROCESS

Registered heritage trees, trees that provide land stability, are of a protected species or size, or provide visual screening/and or privacy are subject to tree removal permits. 

 

Some factors used to determine tree removal approval include hazardous situations, number of trees on a property, damage to existing structures, and reasonable development. Prior to removing any tree on your property, you are advised to contact the Planning Division at (925) 674-7205 to verify your tree does not require a removal permit.

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Permit Application

city contact information

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30 Muir Road
Martinez, CA 94553

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Mon - Thur: 7:30am - 5pm

Fri: 7:30am - 4pm

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Pone: (925) 674-7200
Fax: (925) 674-7239

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Contra Costa County Tree Program Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to cut down a tree?

Registered heritage trees, trees that provide land stability, are of a protected species or size, or provide visual screening/and or privacy are subject to tree removal permits. Each tree removal permit is subject to individual consideration and approved or denied on a case by case basis by the Planning Division. Some factors used to determine tree removal approval include hazardous situations, number of trees on a property, damage to existing structures, and reasonable development. Prior to removing any tree on your property, you are advised to contact the Planning Division at (925) 674-7205 to verify your tree does not require a removal permit.



Is there a list of indigenous trees?

Any tree part of a stand of four or more trees and is 6.5 inches in diameters measured 4 ½ from ground level and is included in the following list of indigenous trees is protected.

  1. Arroyo Willow
  2. Bigleaf Maple
  3. Black Cottonwood
  4. Blue Oak
  5. Box Elder
  6. California Bay or Laurel
  7. California Black Oak
  8. California Black Walnut
  9. California Buckeye
  10. California Juniper
  11. California Sycamore
  12. Canyon Live Oak
  13. Coast Live Oak
  14. Coast Red Elderberry
  15. Coast Redwood
  16. Digger Pine
  17. Fremont Cottonwood
  18. Interior Live Oak
  19. Knobcone Pine
  20. Madrone
  21. Tanoak or Tanbark Oak
  22. Toyon
  23. Valley Oak
  24. White Alder
  25. Yellow Willow



More protected trees in Contra Costa County

Any tree measuring 6 ½ inches diameter measured 4 ½ from ground level, or any multi-stemmed tree with the sum of the circumferences measuring 40 inches or larger, measured 4 ½ from ground level, or any significant grouping of trees, (groves of four or more trees) that is located on any of the properties specified below:

  1. Any developed property within any commercial, professional office or industrial district.
  2. Any undeveloped property within any district or private property that can be subdivided.
  3. Any area designated on the general plan for recreational purposes or open space.
  4. Any area designated in the county general plan open space element as visually significant riparian or ridge line vegetation and where the tree is adjacent to or part of a riparian foothill woodland or oak savanna area. (Ords. 94-59, 94-22)
For permit application information contact the Community Development, 925-335-1381.



Tree Permit: Ordinance Compliance in Contra Costa County

http://www.contracosta.ca.gov/documentcenter/view/2747



Do my neighbors need a tree permit to remove a tree? When do they need a permit and what is the process and timeline involved?

The Tree Protection and Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 816-6) defines a protected tree. A tree is either protected or not protected based on its characteristics (e.g. trunk size, species) and the characteristics of the property on which it is located. The Ordinance requires that the property owner obtain a tree permit from the county before trenching, grading or filling within the dripline of any protected tree or before cutting down, destroying, trimming by topping or removal of any protected tree.