City of Pacifica
Home MenuTree Ordinances / Permits
Removal or Pruning of Trees
To remove or prune a Protected or Heritage tree, it is necessary to obtain a tree permit. Tree permits for private property may be applied for at the City of Pacifica Planning Department located at 540 Crespi Dr. Street or Right of Way tree permits may be applied for at the City of Pacifica Public Works Department located at 155 Milagra Drive. Effective August 12, 2023, the cost of the Tree Application is $1,000.00. Applicant to submit five (5) stamped business size envelopes, site plan showing dimensions that indicate the precise location of the trees located 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 for removal of a protected tree(s).
Once an application for a tree permit has been submitted to the Planning or Public Works Department, a member of the city staff will inspect the tree and issue a proposed decision determining which, if any, trees may be removed or pruned. If city staff recommends removal or pruning of the tree(s) in question, notice of the decision will be posted on the property and mailed to adjacent property owners. See sections 4-12.04, 4-12.05, 4-12.06 and 4-12-07 of the Pacifica Municipal Code for a thorough explanation of the application process.
Building Permits and Protected and Heritage Trees
Tree protection and preservation plans are required when engaging in new construction within fifty (50') feet of a protected tree or heritage tree. The plan must be prepared by a qualified arborist, horticulturist, landscape architect or other qualified person. See sections 4-12.06, 4-12.08 and 4-12.11 of the Pacifica Municipal Code for specific rules regarding tree protection and preservation plans and building permits.
What is the process to remove a City tree?
A: Information related to City trees can be found here: Title 4 Chapter 12 of the Pacifica Municipal Code (Tree Preservation). This will assist in determining if the 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 the date of passage and adoption. For information on the City of Pacifica's Tree Ordinance Update, please visit the Pacifica Tree Ordinance Update webpage. Click here to read the Tree Ordinance Community Outreach & Benchmarking Study 2022.
The adopted ordinance can be found here:
Protected Tree Definition
Title 4 Chapter 12 of the Pacifica Municipal Code (Tree Preservation) stipulates regulations designed to preserve and protect trees on private or city-owned property. Protected trees shall mean and include: (1) All trees on public and private property within the City of Pacifica, which have a trunk with a diameter of twelve (12") inches or greater at DBH. (2) Any heritage tree designated by the Director. (3) Any groves of trees. (4) Eucalyptus and any species determined invasive by the California Invasive Plants Council are not protected by this chapter, except groves of trees and as the director may deem otherwise.
Heritage Tree Definition
Title 4 Chapter 12 of the Pacifica Municipal Code (Tree Preservation) stipulates regulations designed to preserve and protect heritage trees on private or city-owned property. See sections 4-12.08 of the Pacifica Municipal Code for a complete definition of a heritage tree.
Appealing City Decision Regarding Tree Removal or Pruning Permits
Once City staff have made a decision regarding a tree removal or pruning permit, there is a ten (10) day waiting period in which an Appeal Form may be filed with the City Clerk either by the property owner or a concerned citizen and pay the Tree Permit Appeal Fee of $577.00 (effective August 12, 2023).
The appeal will be heard by the Pacifica Parks Beach & Recreation (PB&R) Commission. Once a decision has been reached by the PB&R Commission, there is again a seven (7) day period in which this decision may be appealed to the City of Pacifica City Council by filing a notice of appeal with the City Clerk within seven (7) days of the date of the decision of the PR&R Commission, along with a fee of $577.00 to appeal the decision to the City Council (effective August 12, 2023). Section 4-12-07 of the Pacifica Municipal Code describes the appeal process in detail.
City of Pacifica Appeal Form
Under “Decision at Issue,” please check “Tree Removal Permit.”
The City Clerk must receive the Tree Appeal Form by Day ten (10) of the appeal period. If you mail the Tree Appeal Form, the City Clerk must receive the form by the tenth day of the appeal period. If the tenth day lands on a Saturday or Sunday, the tenth day would be the next business day.
Logging Operations in Pacifica
Logging operations within the City of Pacifica are defined as any removal, destruction or harvesting of 20 or more trees within one year from any parcel or contiguous parcel in the same ownership. In reference to logging regulations, a tree is defined as any tree six inches in diameter as measured 12 inches from the ground. City of Pacifica Ordinance No. 636-C.S. prohibits logging operation unless one of the following conditions is met:
- Said operations are in conjunction with a city permit(s) requiring planning commission and/or city council approval, at which time said operations shall be evaluated and approved or denied at a duly noticed public hearing by the commission and /or council, concurrently with the other permit(s).
- Said operations are necessary immediately for the safety of life or property, as determined by the director of public works or his/her designee.
- Said operations occur on city-owned property and are necessary immediately to maintain public health and safety.
Refer to Ordinance No. 673-c.s. for more information concerning logging operations within the City of Pacifica.
Arborist Report Tree Removals and Services on Minerva Avenue
Tree Postings
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