Does Davis Require a Tree Removal Permit?
Yes — and the answer depends on which category of tree you're dealing with. Davis Municipal Code Chapter 37 (Tree Planting, Preservation and Protection) organizes the city's trees into three main categories, each with its own rules. Get the category wrong and you're either doing unnecessary paperwork or, worse, cutting a protected tree without authorization.
- City trees and street trees — trees in the public right-of-way, including the planting strip between sidewalk and curb, belong to the city. You don't get to decide their fate; the Urban Forestry Division does. Removal or substantial pruning without authorization from the Director is unlawful under Chapter 37.
- Private/protected trees — trees five inches or more in diameter (DBH) on commercial, multifamily, or HOA common-area properties require a private/protected tree permit before removal or substantial pruning.
- Landmark Trees and Trees of Significance — designated by City Council resolution based on species, size, age, form, or historical significance. These are protected across all private property types. A Tree Removal Request must be approved before any work.
- Single-family and duplex residences — generally exempt from the private/protected tree permit requirement for trees in their own yard, unless a development agreement or conditions of approval specifically protect a tree on that parcel. Street trees in front of a single-family home remain city trees.
Davis's Urban Forest: Why the Rules Are Strict
Davis isn't being arbitrary. The city maintains approximately 12,000 street trees, 15,000 trees in parks and greenbelts, and more than 5,000 trees in the public right-of-way. The urban canopy delivers measurable cooling in a Central Valley city that regularly hits triple-digit summer temperatures. Chapter 37 exists to keep that canopy from eroding one removal at a time. Davis consistently ranks among California's most tree-conscious cities, and the ordinance reflects that institutional commitment.
- Cooling value — shade from a mature canopy measurably lowers ambient temperatures on streets and in yards, a significant quality-of-life factor in Yolo County summers.
- Slow replacement — a large valley oak or London plane that shades a Davis street took generations to grow. Chapter 37 weights removal decisions accordingly.
- Urban heat mitigation — the city's Climate-Ready Tree List and long-term planning documents treat the urban forest as infrastructure, not landscaping.
- Community character — many of Davis's older neighborhoods are defined by mature street tree canopies. Residents and the city both have a stake in preserving them.
Which Trees Trigger a Permit: Size, Location, and Designation
The threshold that matters most depends on the tree's category. Here's how to read the rules before calling anyone with a chainsaw.
| Tree category | Where it applies | Permit or authorization required? | Size threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| City tree / street tree | Public right-of-way, planting strips, parks, greenbelts | Yes — Director authorization required; residents submit request, city decides | No size minimum; all city trees are protected |
| Private/protected tree | Commercial, multifamily, and HOA common-area properties | Yes — private/protected tree permit before removal or substantial pruning | Five inches DBH or larger (DBH measured at 4.5 feet above ground) |
| Landmark Tree / Tree of Significance | All private properties (except single-family/duplex unless development conditions apply) | Yes — Tree Removal Request must be approved | Designation by City Council resolution; not size-based alone |
| Single-family / duplex residential yard tree (non-Landmark) | Single-family or duplex residential parcels | Generally no permit required for private yard trees | Exemption applies unless tree is a Landmark or covered by development conditions |
Hazardous and Dead Trees: The Emergency Path
Chapter 37 does not require you to wait for a permit while a failing tree sits on your roof. If a tree presents an imminent hazard to life or property, it may be pruned or removed upon notification to the Director. The key word is notification — not silence. Document the condition with photos, alert the Urban Forestry Division (CityTrees@cityofdavis.org or 530-757-5633) as soon as practicable, and keep records of what was done and why. An arborist assessment of the hazard strengthens your position if questions arise later.
- Emergency exemption — imminent hazard situations allow action with notification rather than prior permit approval.
- Document everything — photos of the structural defect, the failure mode, and the proximity to structures or people create the record you need.
- Mitigation still applies — even dead or dying trees removed under emergency provisions typically require replacement. Dead or dying trees trigger tree-for-tree mitigation under Chapter 37.
- Don't assume — a tree that looks sick or dead may not meet the threshold for emergency action. An arborist's written assessment clarifies the situation and protects the property owner.
The Permit Application: What to Expect
A private/protected tree permit application or Tree Removal Request in Davis is a straightforward process when the documentation is in order. The application goes to the Urban Forestry Division, and processing fees are set by City Council resolution — confirm the current fee schedule directly with the city before submitting, as fees are subject to change.
- Application contents — species identification, trunk diameter (DBH), location on the parcel, purpose and proposed manner of removal, a site map showing the tree's location, and any other information the Director requires.
- Arborist report — not required for every application, but the city may require one depending on the reason for removal. Applications citing structural failure risk, disease, or encroachment often benefit from a written arborist assessment.
- Landmark Tree requests — Tree Removal Requests for Landmark Trees or Trees of Significance are evaluated against the ordinance's criteria; approval is not guaranteed for healthy, significant trees.
- Street tree requests — submit a request to the Urban Forestry Division explaining the concern. The city evaluates city trees on its own timeline; a dead or hazardous street tree typically moves faster.
- Timeline — allow adequate lead time. Permit applications for commercial or multifamily properties and Landmark Tree requests can take days to a few weeks depending on complexity.
Not sure if your tree is protected?
Send the address and we'll tell you whether a permit is likely, what the process looks like, and give you a free, site-specific estimate.
Mitigation: Replacement Trees and In-Lieu Fees
Davis takes mitigation seriously. Removing a protected tree — whether permitted or as part of a development — comes with replacement obligations. The structure of mitigation depends on the tree's condition at the time of removal.
- Dead or dying trees — require tree-for-tree mitigation: one replacement tree planted and maintained on-site for each tree removed.
- Healthy protected trees — may require inch-for-inch mitigation, meaning the replacement planting must match the trunk-inch volume of the removed tree. Alternatively, an in-lieu payment to the city's tree preservation fund may be accepted in place of on-site replanting.
- In-lieu payments — the fee per trunk inch is set by City Council resolution; confirm the current amount with the Urban Forestry Division. Payments fund future planting and maintenance in the city's urban forest.
- On-site planting conditions — replacement trees must be planted and maintained at the property owner's expense. The city may specify species and placement.
- Budget for mitigation — the cost of replacement trees and planting, or the in-lieu fee, is separate from the removal cost. Factor it into your total project budget.
Penalties for Unpermitted Removal
Cutting a protected tree in Davis without authorization is a code violation under Chapter 37. The city enforces it, and neighbors report stumps. The consequences go beyond a fine and can complicate a property's future.
- Fines — violations are enforceable through the city's administrative enforcement process. Penalty amounts are set by city policy; the city has written warning, fine, and stop-work-order options.
- Mitigation orders — expect to be required to plant replacement trees or pay into the tree preservation fund on top of any fine, even for a tree that was already removed.
- Property record — an open enforcement case can surface during a real estate transaction or a future development application at the worst possible moment.
- Contractor liability — crews that cut protected trees share exposure for the violation, which is why a legitimate tree service in Davis asks the permit question before quoting.
The same crew from estimate to cleanup.
No juggling separate contractors for one tree. Tell us the address and what you're dealing with, and we'll come back with a written, site-specific number.
- Removal, trimming, stumps, and cleanup handled by one crew
- Free, site-specific estimates — priced to your tree, not a flat rate
- Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, and Yolo counties
How 916 Trees Works Within Davis's Permit System
Davis's tree rules are more layered than most Sacramento-region cities. At 916 Trees, the ordinance check is part of every removal estimate — we identify species, measure DBH, flag city trees in the right-of-way, and tell you plainly whether a permit is required and which type. We can produce the arborist report documentation that private/protected tree permit applications and Landmark Tree removal requests often require. If the city's review is likely to deny removal of a healthy significant tree, we say so and discuss alternatives — crown reduction, cabling, or structural pruning — instead of sending you into a process that won't go anywhere. Get a free, site-specific estimate and we'll walk you through what Davis's ordinance means for your specific tree.
Official sources
- City of Davis Urban Forestry Division — Administers Chapter 37 permits and removal requests. Contact: CityTrees@cityofdavis.org | 530-757-5633. Maintains the city's tree inventory, processes private/protected tree permits, and manages Landmark Tree designations.
- Davis Municipal Code Chapter 37 — Tree Planting, Preservation and Protection — The governing ordinance covering city trees, private/protected trees, Landmark Trees, and Trees of Significance. Accessible via the City of Davis website and legal code repositories. Verify the current adopted version before acting on any section reference.
- City of Davis Urban Forest Management Plan — Long-term planning document covering the city's urban forestry goals, tree inventory, and policy framework. Available through the Urban Forestry Division section of cityofdavis.org.
Permit rules in nearby cities
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my Davis backyard?
- Usually not, if you own a single-family or duplex residence. Davis Municipal Code Chapter 37 generally exempts single-family and duplex residential yard trees from the private/protected tree permit requirement. The key exceptions are Landmark Trees (designated by City Council resolution) and trees specifically protected by development conditions or conditions of approval on your parcel. If you're not certain whether your yard tree is a Landmark or covered by a development agreement, contact the Urban Forestry Division before removing it.
What about the tree between my sidewalk and the street — can I remove it?
- No, not without the city's authorization. Trees in the planting strip between the sidewalk and the curb are city trees under Chapter 37, regardless of who planted them or who has been watering them. Removing or substantially pruning a city tree without authorization from the Director is unlawful. If the tree looks dead, diseased, or hazardous, submit a request to the Urban Forestry Division — they evaluate city trees and handle removals when warranted.
What is a Landmark Tree in Davis and how do I know if mine qualifies?
- A Landmark Tree is a tree designated by City Council resolution as being of high value because of its species, size, age, form, historical significance, or another professional criterion. The designation process is initiated through the Urban Forestry Division. Not every big tree is a Landmark Tree — designation requires a formal resolution. To find out whether a specific tree on your property has been designated, contact the Urban Forestry Division at CityTrees@cityofdavis.org or call 530-757-5633.
I own a commercial or multifamily property in Davis. Which trees need a permit?
- Any tree measuring five inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH, measured at 4.5 feet above ground) on a commercial, multifamily, or residential care facility property, or in publicly accessible common space managed by an HOA, is a private/protected tree under Chapter 37. Removing or substantially pruning one without a private/protected tree permit is a violation. The application goes to the Urban Forestry Division and must include species, trunk diameter, location, purpose, and a site map; an arborist report may be required depending on the removal reason.
A storm dropped a limb on my house — do I need a permit to cut down the damaged tree?
- Chapter 37 has an emergency provision: if a tree presents an imminent hazard to life or property, it may be pruned or removed upon notification to the Director, rather than requiring prior permit approval. In practice, deal with the immediate danger, document the condition thoroughly (photos of the failure and damage), and notify the Urban Forestry Division as soon as practicable. Even dead or dying trees removed under emergency conditions typically still require tree-for-tree mitigation planting, so don't assume emergency removal means no replacement obligation.
What does tree mitigation mean, and what will it cost?
- Mitigation is the city's requirement that a removed protected tree be replaced. Dead or dying trees require tree-for-tree replacement — one new tree for each one removed. Healthy protected trees may require inch-for-inch replacement, where the replacement planting matches the trunk-inch volume of the removed tree. If on-site replanting isn't feasible, the city may accept an in-lieu fee paid to the tree preservation fund instead. The specific fee amount per trunk inch is set by City Council resolution; confirm the current rate with the Urban Forestry Division, as it is subject to change.
Can my tree service handle the Davis permit application for me?
- A tree service can help you gather the necessary documentation — species ID, DBH measurement, location photos, site map, and arborist condition assessment — and can point you to the correct application form. The actual permit application is submitted by the property owner or their authorized representative to the Urban Forestry Division. If an arborist report is required, a certified arborist on our team can produce that document as part of the project.