Redwood City Tree Removal Permits: Protected Tree Rules for Homeowners

Not all trees face the same level of municipal scrutiny in Redwood City. Native California species receive the highest level of preservation protection:

• Native Protected Species: Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia), Valley Oak (Quercus lobata), Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii), Coast Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens), and California Bay Laurel (Umbellularia californica) are subject to rigorous preservation guidelines. The city rarely approves removal of healthy native specimens without compelling structural or infrastructure conflict justifications. • Non-Native & Exotic Trees: Mature blue gum eucalyptus, Monterey pines, liquidambars, and elms over 12 inches DBH still require permits, but applications citing fire risk, aggressive root systems, or brittle branch structure receive favorable review. • Exempt Tree Species: Small domestic fruit trees (citrus, peach, plum, apple), palm trees, and non-native invasive species generally do not require removal permits regardless of size, though property owners should always verify property boundary status before cutting.

To obtain a tree removal permit in Redwood City, property owners must submit a comprehensive application packet to the Public Works Department. A successful submission requires four primary components:

1. Scaled Property Site Plan: An accurate drawing showing property boundaries, existing residential structures, driveways, underground utilities, and the exact location and dripline of the tree proposed for removal. 2. Photographic Documentation: High-resolution color photos showing the entire canopy, trunk flare, root zone, and specific structural defects or property conflicts. 3. ISA Certified Arborist Report: A formal written evaluation prepared by an ISA Certified Arborist. The report must evaluate trunk structural integrity, internal decay (measured via sonic tomography or resistograph drilling), canopy dieback percentage, root plate stability, and a formal TRAQ (Tree Risk Assessment Qualified) hazard rating. 4. Proposed Mitigation & Replacement Plan: Details on replacement tree species, container sizes (typically 15-gallon or 24-inch box), and planting locations to replace lost canopy cover.

Once an application is deemed complete, Redwood City initiates a formal public notice process. For heritage specimens and significant trees, city staff or the arborist posts a high-visibility yellow public notice placard on the tree or street frontage. The placard must remain in place for a mandatory 10 to 15 calendar day public comment period.

This notification allows neighboring property owners to review the proposed removal and voice concerns or file an administrative appeal. If no appeals are lodged and city arborists concur with the hazard findings, the permit is officially granted. Standard review timelines typically take between 2 and 4 weeks from initial filing to permit issuance.

When a tree poses an imminent threat to life or property—such as a trunk splitting during a winter storm, active root plate lifting, or a tree leaning into a bedroom—you do not have to wait weeks for administrative permit review. Redwood City Municipal Code allows for immediate emergency tree removal under life-safety protocols.

To utilize this exemption safely without facing penalties, property owners must document the emergency condition before cutting. Take detailed photographs of the immediate structural failure, engage an ISA Certified Arborist to document the hazard in writing, and submit the retroactive emergency permit documentation to Redwood City Public Works within 72 hours of work completion. Our emergency teams handle this retroactive filing process routinely for our clients.

Under city ordinance, permit approval is almost always conditioned upon tree replacement. Homeowners are typically required to plant one to three native or climate-adapted shade trees on the property to offset the loss of canopy volume.

If your parcel cannot physically support new trees due to space limitations, underground utility easements, or zero lot lines, Redwood City offers an in-lieu fee option. Property owners pay a designated fee per tree into the municipal Urban Forestry Fund, which the city uses to plant and maintain trees in public parks and street medians.