Does Folsom Require a Tree Removal Permit?
Yes, in most cases. Folsom's tree removal rules are set by Folsom Municipal Code (FMC) Chapter 12.16 — the Tree Preservation Ordinance — and are administered by the City Arborist. The ordinance applies citywide to private and public property within city limits.
Any removal, destruction, or critical damage to a protected tree requires a permit before work begins. This applies to homeowners, landlords, contractors, and developers. Submit a complete application and the City Arborist will issue a written decision — approval, conditional approval, or denial — within 10 calendar days.
Which Trees Are Protected Under FMC 12.16?
Not every tree in your yard is covered. The ordinance targets specific native species above a minimum size threshold, plus landmark trees and street trees.
A tree is protected if it belongs to a covered species and meets the size minimum. Size is measured at 4.5 feet above average natural grade — the standard called diameter at breast height (DBH). Three native oak species are protected by species name; any oak matching one of these scientific names and hitting the size floor requires a permit for removal or major work.
Protected native oak species in Folsom:
- Valley oak (Quercus lobata)
- Blue oak (Quercus douglasii)
- Interior live oak (Quercus wislizenii)
| Trunk configuration | Minimum size to qualify as protected |
|---|---|
| Single trunk | 6 inches diameter, measured at 4.5 ft above grade |
| Multiple trunks (no single trunk ≥6 in.) | 20 inches aggregate (all trunk diameters combined) |
When You Don't Need a Permit
FMC 12.16 includes clear exemptions for hazardous conditions and minor maintenance. Knowing these limits can save time — and keep you on the right side of the ordinance.
- Imminent public safety hazard: if a protected tree poses an immediate risk, the City Arborist or City Fire Chief can authorize emergency removal without advance permit approval. Document the hazard with photos and contact the City Arborist promptly — a follow-up report and mitigation obligations still apply.
- Dead or dying trees: a tree confirmed dead or in terminal decline by an ISA Certified Arborist and verified by the City Arborist may be removed with a permit. Note: tree replacement requirements still apply even to dead protected trees.
- Minor pruning: removing dead branches or cutting any individual branch or root less than 2 inches in diameter is exempt, provided the cumulative work stays under 10% of the canopy or root system within a 12-month period. Pruning that exceeds either limit requires a tree work permit.
- Below-threshold trees: trees with a single trunk under 6 inches DBH (or multiple trunks aggregating under 20 inches) fall outside FMC 12.16 — though check your HOA rules and any conditions recorded on your parcel.
How the Permit Process Works
Folsom's process is predictable but requires documentation. Build in at least 10 calendar days before you need work to start.
Submit a Tree Removal Permit Application to the City Arborist — online through the city's eTRAKiT/ePermit Center, by email to TreePermitEPC@folsom.ca.us, or in person at City Hall. Most removal applications require an arborist report prepared by an ISA Certified Arborist covering the tree's location, condition, potential impacts, and recommended mitigation. An incomplete application is returned in writing with a list of what's missing; the 10-day clock restarts once a complete application is received.
Typical application requirements:
- Completed Tree Removal Permit Application form
- ISA Certified Arborist report (location, condition, impact assessment, recommended mitigation)
- Site plan showing the tree's location on the property
- Stated reason for removal
- Proposed mitigation or replacement plan
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.
Replacement and Mitigation Requirements
Getting a permit approved doesn't mean removal is free of obligation. FMC 12.16 requires that every permitted removal be mitigated.
Mitigation takes two forms: replacement plantings or payment of an in-lieu fee established by City Council resolution, or a combination of both. Replacement trees are typically required to be the same species as the tree removed. In-lieu fees are based on the tree's trunk diameter and its location on the lot — the City Arborist's office maintains the current fee schedule. If on-site replanting is not feasible, the City Arborist may approve alternative mitigation. Get all mitigation conditions confirmed in writing before signing a contract with any tree service.
Penalties for Removing a Protected Tree Without a Permit
Skipping the permit is expensive in Folsom. The consequences are financial and can hold up any other city approvals on the property.
Under FMC 12.16, unauthorized removal or critical damage to a protected tree is a Level E violation. The minimum financial sanction is two times what the standard in-lieu mitigation fee would have been — meaning you pay the full mitigation amount and then at least that same amount again as a penalty. The City may also require replanting at your expense and can place a hold on building permits or other city approvals until the violation is resolved.
- Penalty: minimum 2× the applicable in-lieu mitigation fee
- Required replanting at the property owner's expense
- Potential hold on building permits and city approvals until resolved
- Civil code enforcement action for repeat or egregious violations
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 Helps Folsom Property Owners
We work in Folsom regularly and know what the City Arborist's office needs before approving a removal. A quick on-site look at your tree can tell you whether a permit is required before you make any commitments.
We assess tree size, species, and condition — the same details the permit application needs — and can connect you with an ISA Certified Arborist if an arborist report is required. Once the permit is in hand, our crew handles removal, chipping, and stump grinding, and we carry full documentation on every job in case of a site visit. This is a real business with real customers in Folsom: we aren't going to advise you to skip the permit. Get a free site estimate and know exactly what you're dealing with before work begins.
Official sources
- City of Folsom — Arborist Services / Tree Permits and Guidelines (folsom.ca.us) — Official city page with permit application forms, submittal guidelines, contact information, and links to the ePermit Center.
- Folsom Municipal Code Chapter 12.16 — Tree Preservation (codepublishing.com/CA/Folsom) — Full ordinance text covering protected-tree definitions, size thresholds, permit findings, exemption provisions, mitigation requirements, and the Level E penalty structure.
Permit rules in nearby cities
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get a tree removal permit in Folsom?
- The City Arborist is required to issue a written decision within 10 calendar days of receiving a complete application. An incomplete submission is returned with a written list of what's missing, which restarts the clock. If you have an ISA Certified Arborist report ready when you apply, the process typically stays within the 10-day window. Plan for additional days to gather documentation before you submit.
Do I need a permit to remove a dead oak tree in Folsom?
- Yes. Under FMC 12.16, even dead protected trees (single trunk ≥6 inches DBH, or multiple trunks aggregating ≥20 inches) require a permit before removal. The dead or dying determination must be made by an ISA Certified Arborist and verified by the City Arborist. Replacement or mitigation requirements still apply to dead trees.
What happens if I heavily prune my oak tree without a permit in Folsom?
- Pruning that removes more than 10% of a protected tree's canopy, or that cuts any limb 2 inches or more in diameter, requires a tree work permit under FMC 12.16 — even if the tree stays in the ground. Performing major unpermitted pruning is a violation subject to the same penalty structure as unauthorized removal. If you're unsure whether your planned scope crosses the permit threshold, contact the City Arborist before scheduling work.
Can my crew start emergency hazard tree removal without waiting for the permit?
- Yes. FMC 12.16 allows removal of a protected tree posing an imminent safety risk as determined by the City Arborist or City Fire Chief, without waiting for a formal permit. Document the hazard thoroughly — photos and a written assessment — and contact the City Arborist as soon as possible after emergency work is complete. Emergency authorization does not waive the mitigation or replacement requirements.
Does FMC 12.16 apply inside homeowners associations (HOAs) and planned developments?
- Yes. The ordinance applies citywide, including within HOA-governed communities. Some planned developments also carry additional tree preservation conditions recorded on the parcel at the time of subdivision — these can be stricter than the base ordinance. Check with both the City Arborist and your HOA before removing any significant tree, since both sets of rules can apply simultaneously.
Who do I contact at the City of Folsom about a tree permit?
- Contact the City Arborist through the Community Development Department. Applications can be submitted online via the eTRAKiT/ePermit Center on folsom.ca.us, by email to TreePermitEPC@folsom.ca.us, or in person at Folsom City Hall. The Arborist Services page on the city website has current application forms, guidelines, and the in-lieu fee schedule.