Private Tree Removal and Severe Tree Trimming Application

Private Tree Removal and Sever Tree Trimming Application

Applicability

This form may only be used for trees meeting the criteria provided in BMC Chapter 12.12. Please refer to the Private Tree Removal and Severe Tree Trimming Application Checklist and Guide for more information. It shall not be used for trees located in the public right-of-way, or on any property owned by others who are not indicated and signed on to this form. 

To request that Public Works trim or remove a tree within the public right-of-way or other public property, please enter a GORequest. Such trees are maintained by the City of Brisbane and trimming or removal is prohibited, except as expressly authorized in writing by the Public Works Director. 

This form is not required for removal of a juvenile tree 

Per BMC Section 12.12.030.B, a juvenile tree that’s not protected may be removed without notice or permit. Please note that juvenile trees that were planted as a replacement to a previously granted tree permit or other city permit are considered protected and are subject to a Protected Tree Removal Permit application. A “Juvenile Tree” is defined as a tree whose trunk measures less than thirty (30) inches in circumference at twenty-four (24) inches above grade or the equivalent trunk cross-sectional area for multi-trunked trees.

Please contact the Community Development Department or call (415) 508-2120 to speak to a planner if you have additional questions about private tree removal and severe trimming. For questions about street trees or trees on public property, please call Public Works at (415) 508-2130.

What Documents Do I Need?

In order for the CDD to process your request, the following is required:

  • Photo(s) of each tree to be trimmed or removed (must be keyed to the site plan or aerial photo); please ensure the entire tree is visible in one of the photos and note additional images may be required of the foliage to help staff determine the species of the tree
  • Site plan or aerial photo indicating the location of each tree to be removed or trimmed (must be keyed to submitted photos); the site plan shall also indicate the location and species of replacement tree(s), if required
  • Owner's signature; please attach a completed Property Owner Authorization Form if the applicant is not the property owner
  • A written report by an independent and qualified arborist may be required documenting the health of the tree for certain requests.

Protected Tree Removal Permits require an application fee (no fee for for a 7-Day Notice) in the amount of $348 after your application has been accepted for processing. Fees may be paid over the phone by Visa or MasterCard (2% fee applies) or by check.

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Date
The property owner's signature is required if an agent is submitting on behalf of the owner. Please attach a completed Property Owner Authorization Form signed by the owner of the property with your other required plans/documentation. See link below.

7-Day Notice from Owner to City: For Severe Tree Trimming or Removal of Non-protected Mature Tree

Brisbane Municipal Code Section 12.12.050.A allows that any species of tree may be severely trimmed (as long as the trimming would not result in the death of the tree) and certain tree species may be removed following submittal of a 7 calendar day notice to the Community Development Department (CDD). 

This form serves as that required notice. A confirmation email from the CDD is required for the notice to be considered effective. 

For information on trees subject to noticing only, please see page 6 of the Private Tree Removal and Severe Tree Trimming Application Checklist and Guide. 

Application for Protected Tree Removal Permit

Brisbane Municipal Code Section 12.12.050.B allows that a protected tree may be removed following the granting of a permit by the Community Development Director. This application form, an application fee, and the supplemental materials identified herein are required to process a tree removal application. Replacement of trees shall be required on at least a 1:1 basis.

For information on protected trees, please see page 8 of the Private Tree Removal and Severe Tree Trimming Application Checklist and Guide.

Supplemental Information

  • It is unlawful for any person to severely trim, or cause to be severely trimmed, any tree, whether alive or dead, that is not specifically exempted in BMC Section 12.12.030.B. "Severe trimming" means the removal of more than fifty percent (50%) of the foliage crown or more than thirty percent (30%) of the height of a tree.
  • Notwithstanding the notice to the City, the property owner shall be responsible for the health of the tree and if trimming results in the death of the tree, the property owner shall become subject to the tree removal provisions of BMC Chapter 12.12.
  • It is unlawful for any person to remove, or cause to be removed, any tree, whether alive or dead, that is not specifically exempted in BMC Section 12.12.030.B.
  1. Species protected: Any California Bay, Coast Live Oak, or California Buckeye; 
  2. Resolution Protected: Any tree designated as a protected tree by resolution of the city council;
  3. Permit Protected: Any tree, regardless of size, required by the City to be planted as a condition for the granting of a permit. This includes any tree protected by a maintenance agreement, whether on private or public land, any tree required by the city to be planted as a replacement for an unlawfully removed tree, all trees within the Northeast Ridge Planned Development, TC-1 Crocker Park Trade Commercial District, and SP-CRO Sierra Point Commercial District;
  4. Multiple Non-invasive Species: Three or more mature, non-invasive trees that are proposed to be removed from the same property. 
  • Please note that the CDD will require access to view the tree for verification of the information provided herein. Failure to provide adequate or correct contact information will invalidate this form.

Processing Time

The City will notify you, the applicant, of the decision to approve or deny this application or if the application is incomplete within three weeks following submittal of this application. During the review period, the CDD will require access to the property to view the tree(s) proposed for removal to verify the information provided herein.

Appeals: The Community Development Director’s decision to approve or deny the application is subject to a seven-day appeal period. (Refer to the Private Tree Removal and Severe Tree Trimming Application Checklist and Guide or BMC Section 12.12.060 for more information on appeals.)

Address of Tree(s) Proposed for Removal or Severe Trim

Owner's Information

Agent's Information

Tree Identification

Tree #1
Photo ID # *
The Photo ID # must be keyed to your site plan and be indicated in the file name of the corresponding photo.
Trim or Remove *
Species *
Invasive *
Tree Circumference (inches) *
Description of Tree Location *
Photo *
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Photo
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Reason for Removal *
Please indicate one or more applicable reasons for removal. This only applies to the removal of a protected tree.
If you are not removing or trimming any additional trees, please leave the fields UNDER THE Following TRee(s) blank. If you have more than two images to submit for any one tree, please combine all images into one PDF or upload a zip (compressed) folder.
Tree #2
Photo ID #
The Photo ID # must be keyed to your site plan and be indicated in the file name of the corresponding photo.
Trim or Remove *
Species *
Invasive *
Tree Circumference (inches) *
Description of Tree Location *
Photo *
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Photo
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Reason for Removal *
Please indicate one or more applicable reasons for removal. This only applies to the removal of a protected tree.
Tree #3
Photo ID #
The Photo ID # must be keyed to your site plan and be indicated in the file name of the corresponding photo.
Trim or Remove *
Species *
Invasive *
Tree Circumference (inches) *
Description of Tree Location *
Photo *
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Photo
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Reason for Removal *
Please indicate one or more applicable reasons for removal. This only applies to the removal of a protected tree.
Tree #4
Photo ID #
The Photo ID # must be keyed to your site plan and be indicated in the file name of the corresponding photo.
Trim or Remove *
Species *
Invasive *
Tree Circumference (inches) *
Description of Tree Location *
Photo *
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Photo
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Reason for Removal *
Please indicate one or more applicable reasons for removal. This only applies to the removal of a protected tree.
If you are not removing or trimming any additional trees, please leave the following fields under Tree #5 Blank. If you have more than two images to submit FOR ANY ONE TREE, please combine all images into one PDF or upload a zip (compressed) folder.
Tree #5
Photo ID #
The Photo ID # must be keyed to your site plan and be indicated in the file name of the corresponding photo.
Trim or Remove *
Species *
Invasive *
Tree Circumference (inches) *
Description of Tree Location *
Photo *
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Photo
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.
Reason for Removal *
Please indicate one or more applicable reasons for removal. This only applies to the removal of a protected tree.
If you have more trees to add to your request, please attached one complete list. Be sure to key each tree to your site plan and include corresponding photos and provide the following information for each tree: trim or remove, species, indicate if invasive, tree circumference, and a description of the tree's location.
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf doc docx rar zip.

Required Attachments

A written report by an independent and qualified arborist may be required, documenting the health of the tree. If not included at the time of initial submittal, it may be required prior to permit approval.
A written report by an independent and qualified arborist may be required, documenting the health of the tree. If not included at the time of initial submittal, it may be required prior to permit approval.
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: pdf doc docx.

 

Please attach a keyed site plan or aerial photo that indicates the location(s) of each tree to be removed or trimmed for field verification shows the property lines. The location of nearby structures needs to be shown as well. The site plan does not need to be to scale and may be hand drawn, but it must be legible and labeled for clarity. Please also indicate the location and species of replacement trees, if required. (Removal of protected trees will require replacement trees on at least a 1:1 basis.)
Files must be less than 25 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf doc docx rar zip.

 

Please attach a completed Property Owner Authorization Form signed by the owner of the property with your other required plans/documentation. Your application will be considered incomplete without a signed authorization letter from the property owner.

Files must be less than 10 MB.
Allowed file types: gif jpg jpeg png bmp tif pdf rar zip.

Certification and Signature

Certify the following: *
Certify the following: *
Electronic Signature Agreement *
By selecting the "I Agree" button, you are signing this application electronically. You agree your electronic signature is the legal equivalent of your manual signature on this application.
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