Tree Ordinances / Permits

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

Removal or Pruning of Trees

To remove or prune a protected or heritage tree, a tree permit is required. Tree permits for private property may be applied for online or in person at the City of Pacifica Community Development Department, 1800 Francisco Blvd. Permits for street or right-of-way trees may be applied for at the City of Pacifica Public Works Department, 155 Milagra Drive.

The cost of a tree permit is as listed on the Citywide Fee Schedule that is in effect as of the date the application is submitted. As of July 1, 2025, the cost of a tree permit (removal, encroachment, or substantial trimming) not associated with a building permit is $256.00.

For removal of a protected tree, the applicant must submit a site plan with dimensions showing the precise location of all trees within 50' of the proposed project, photos of each tree within 50' of the proposed project, an arborist's report, and an ISA Basic Tree Risk Assessment Form.

Once an application is submitted to the Community Development or Public Works Department, City staff will inspect the tree and issue a proposed decision determining which trees, if any, may be removed or pruned. If staff recommend removal or pruning, notice of the decision is posted on the property and mailed to adjacent property owners. See Pacifica Municipal Code §§ 4-12.04, 4-12.05, 4-12.06, and 4-12.07 for a full explanation of the application process.

Building Permits and Protected or Heritage Trees

Tree protection and preservation plans are required when engaging in new construction within fifty (50') feet of a protected or heritage tree. The plan must be prepared by a qualified arborist, horticulturist, landscape architect, or other qualified person. See Pacifica Municipal Code §§ 4-12.06, 4-12.08, and 4-12.11 for specific rules regarding tree protection and preservation plans and building permits.

How do I remove a City tree?

Information related to City trees can be found in Title 4, Chapter 12 of the Pacifica Municipal Code (Tree Preservation), which will help determine whether a tree is a City tree. Requests for City tree removals must be forwarded to the Public Works Field Services Office.

Where can I find the City's Tree Ordinance?

The City of Pacifica Tree Preservation Ordinance was adopted by City Council on September 12, 2022, and took effect thirty (30) days after passage and adoption. For information on the Tree Ordinance Update, please visit the Pacifica Tree Ordinance Update webpage. You can also read the Tree Ordinance Community Outreach & Benchmarking Study (2022).

The adopted ordinance is available here:

Ordinance No. 884-C.S. — An Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Pacifica repealing and replacing Chapter 12 "Preservation of Heritage Trees" and Chapter 14 "Maintenance and Preservation of City Trees" within Title 4 of the Pacifica Municipal Code relating to trees.

Protected Tree Definition

Title 4, Chapter 12 of the Pacifica Municipal Code (Tree Preservation) sets regulations to preserve and protect trees on private and city-owned property. Protected trees include:

All trees on public and private property within the City of Pacifica with a trunk diameter of twelve inches (12") or greater at DBH (diameter at breast height).
Any heritage tree designated by the Director.
Any groves of trees.
Eucalyptus and any species determined invasive by the California Invasive Plant Council are not protected by this chapter, except for groves of trees and as the Director may otherwise determine.

Heritage Tree Definition

Title 4, Chapter 12 of the Pacifica Municipal Code (Tree Preservation) sets regulations to preserve and protect heritage trees on private and city-owned property. See Pacifica Municipal Code § 4-12.08 for the complete definition of a heritage tree.

Appealing a City Decision on a Tree Removal or Pruning Permit

Once City staff issue a decision on a tree removal or pruning permit, the appeal process is as follows:

Appeal to the PB&R Commission (10 days). Within ten (10) days of the decision, the property owner or any concerned resident may file an Appeal Form with the City Clerk and pay the Tree Permit Appeal Fee of $461.00 (effective July 1, 2025). The appeal is heard by the Pacifica Parks, Beaches & Recreation (PB&R) Commission.
Appeal to the City Council (7 days). Once the PB&R Commission reaches a decision, that decision may be appealed to the City Council by filing a notice of appeal with the City Clerk within seven (7) days of the Commission's decision, along with a fee of $461.00.

Pacifica Municipal Code § 4-12.07 describes the appeal process in detail.

City of Pacifica Appeal Form — under "Decision at Issue," check "Tree Removal Permit."

The City Clerk must receive the completed Tree Appeal Form by the tenth (10th) day of the appeal period, whether filed in person or by mail. If the tenth day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the deadline is the next business day.

Logging Operations in Pacifica

Logging operations within the City of Pacifica are defined as the removal, destruction, or harvesting of 20 or more trees within one year from any parcel, or from contiguous parcels in the same ownership. For logging regulations, a tree is defined as any tree six inches in diameter measured 12 inches from the ground. City of Pacifica Ordinance No. 636-C.S. prohibits logging operations unless one of the following conditions is met:

The operations are in conjunction with a city permit requiring Planning Commission and/or City Council approval, in which case they are evaluated and approved or denied at a duly noticed public hearing, concurrently with the other permit(s).
The operations are immediately necessary for the safety of life or property, as determined by the Director of Public Works or their designee.
The operations occur on city-owned property and are immediately necessary to maintain public health and safety.

Refer to Ordinance No. 673-C.S. for more information concerning logging operations within the City of Pacifica.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.