Service Locations

For Oakland on any property, trees are protected by size: any tree larger than 9in in diameter (28.26in circumference) except Eucalyptus and Monterey Pine.

Trees protected by species:
1. California Oak
2. Coast Live Oak
3. Special exceptions: Monterey Pine is to be protected in the case where a lot is being cleared for development. In this case, if more than 5 Monterey Pine are to be removed, a permit is needed unless the lot size is larger than 1 acre. If the lot must be cleared for reasons other than development, no permit is needed.

For more information, visit Oakland Protected Trees for a summary of the city ordinance. Or for the city code in full, visit Oakland City Code of Ordinance Chapter 12.36, Protected Trees.

Trees that require a permit for removal in Hayward are trees of defined size, protected species, “street” trees, and “dedication” or “memorial” trees. Size specifications include any tree measured at 8in diameter (25.12in circumference) 4.5ft above ground.

List of Protected Trees that require permit:

Big Leaf Maple (Acer macrophyllum)

California Buckeye (Aesculus californica)

Madrone (Arbutus menziesii)

Western Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii)

California Sycamore (Platanus racemosa)

Coast Live Oak (Quercus agrifolia)

Canyon Live Oak (Quercus chrysolepis)

Blue Oak (Quercus douglassii)

Oregon White Oak (Quercus garryana)

California Black Oak (Quercus kelloggi)

Valley Oak (Quercus lobata)

Interior Live Oak (Quercus wislizenii)

California Bay (Umbellularia californica)

The City of Hayward has provided an FAQ for residents regarding the removal/pruning of trees. Visit the City of Hayward’s Tree Removal/Pruning Permit page for the full article.

Given that San Leandro is an unincorporated community, the Alameda County Public Works Administration oversees their tree permits. The Alameda County Tree Program ensures the preservation of trees in the County’s road right-of-way. Property owners are responsible for maintaining trees that are adjacent to their property. Property owners are required to obtain tree permits for planting, trimming, pruning or removal of trees in the right-of-way.

Read more here.

Alameda County Public Works Agency has an ordinance that protects all trees within its right-of-way (ROW). Most of the front yard trees in the Association lie in the County ROW.

County permits and HOA approval are required prior to removing any tree or pruning any tree limb over 1 inch in diameter. Alameda County can fine SLVHA homeowners over $5000 for violating the ordinance. The Association reimburses permit fees for tree trimming or planting. The member must provide proof of the work, an approved permit and the receipt of the $35 permit fees paid.

For more information about the permit process, the County ROW and to obtain applications, contact the Association office at 510-276-4554. To find more information about Tree removal or pruning in San Lorenzo, please visit the full article or FAQ.

For most cases in the City of Fremont, you need a permit to prune or remove a tree in your front yard. A permit is always required to remove, prune or plant a tree near a sidewalk or street. This applies to residents, HOA’s and businesses.

List of protected trees that require permit:
1. A tree having a DBH (Diameter at breast height) of six inches or more and located on a vacant or underdeveloped lot;
2. A tree having a DBH of six inches or more and located on a developed lot which is the subject of a contemplated or pending application for a development project;
3. A native tree or tree of exceptional adaptability to the Fremont area having a DBH of 10 inches or more;
4. A tree having a DBH of eighteen inches or more;
5. A tree that was required by the City to be planted or retained as mitigation for the removal of a tree;
6. A tree planted or retained as a condition of any City-conferred development project approval, including approvals conferred prior to adoption of this Chapter;
7. One of six or more trees of the same species that are located on the same lot and that each have six or more inches in DBH.

For more information about Tree Removal/Pruning Permits in Fremont, visit the full article and FAQ.

A removal permit is required to remove a private tree on a lot of 10,000 square feet or larger. No permit is needed to remove a private tree on a typical size residential lot.

Tree removal applications can be obtained by emailing maintenance@newark.org. requesting an application in person at the City of Newark’s Service Center: 37440 Filbert Street, asking for an application to be mailed by calling the Maintenance Division at 510-578-4806 or from the City of Newark website.

Given that Castro Valley is an unincorporated community, the Alameda County Public Works Administration oversees their tree permits. The Alameda County Tree Program ensures the preservation of trees in the County’s road right-of-way. Property owners are responsible for maintaining trees that are adjacent to their property. Property owners are required to obtain tree permits for planting, trimming, pruning or removal of trees in the right-of-way.

Read more here.

Given that Castro Valley is an unincorporated community, the Alameda County Public Works Administration oversees their tree permits. The Alameda County Tree Program ensures the preservation of trees in the County’s road right-of-way. Property owners are responsible for maintaining trees that are adjacent to their property. Property owners are required to obtain tree permits for planting, trimming, pruning or removal of trees in the right-of-way.

Read more here.