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Oak tree removal in Sacramento: City vs. County rules

Native oaks are among the most protected trees in the Sacramento area; both the City and the County require a permit before most can be removed. Which rules apply depends on where the tree is (inside City of Sacramento limits, in unincorporated Sacramento County, or in another city) and on its species and trunk size. Based on official sources checked October 2026; not legal advice — confirm with the agency before cutting.

First: city or county?

Many Sacramento-area communities are actually in unincorporated Sacramento County rather than a city — including Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Antelope, Arden-Arcade, and Orangevale. The County's Parcel Viewer (linked from Sacramento County Tree Permits) shows whether a parcel is inside a city; cities such as Elk Grove, Citrus Heights, Rancho Cordova, and Folsom have their own ordinances.

City of Sacramento rules

Under Sacramento City Code ch. 12.56 (the tree ordinance adopted in 2016) and the City of Sacramento Tree Permits and Ordinances page, a private protected tree includes any native Valley Oak, Blue Oak, Interior Live Oak, or Coast Live Oak — as well as California Buckeye and California Sycamore — with a diameter at standard height (DSH) of 12 inches or more on private property. (These were formerly called "Heritage Trees.") Larger non-native trees can also qualify (32"+ on single-family/duplex lots; 24"+ on other or undeveloped lots).

• Measuring: DSH is measured 4.5 ft above natural grade; diameter = circumference ÷ 3.14. For multi-trunk trees branching at the ground, the City adds the largest trunk's diameter plus half the combined diameter of the other trunks.
• What needs a permit: "regulated work" includes removal, pruning branches or roots, topping, and grading, trenching, paving, or storing equipment within the tree protection zone (roughly the area under the canopy). Routine maintenance — such as removing dead branches or cuts under 2" totaling no more than 10% of the crown and roots in 12 months — does not.
• Process: applications are generally processed within about 10 business days, and a City arborist inspects the tree.
• Penalties: per City of Sacramento Tree Questions, removing or pruning a protected tree without a permit can bring administrative penalties of $250 to $25,000, plus possible civil or criminal action.

Unincorporated Sacramento County rules

The Sacramento County Tree Permits page says a permit is required to remove or prune native oak trees on any property, including private residential properties. The Sacramento County Code ch. 19.12 (Tree Preservation Ordinance) defines native oaks as valley oak, interior live oak, blue oak, and oracle oak, and covers oaks with a trunk of 6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 ft — or 10 inches combined for multi-trunk oaks.

• Not just removal: the ordinance also prohibits trenching, grading, or filling within the dripline of a protected oak without a permit (relevant for pools, additions, or utility lines).
• Exemptions: ch. 19.12 exempts certain single-family/duplex lots of 10,000 sq ft or less in subdivisions within the County's designated urban area, plus lots in Sierra Oaks, Sierra Oaks Vista, Arden Park Vista, and Arden Oaks (with exceptions, e.g. for the 100-year floodplain), but other County zoning rules also apply and the County's permit page describes native oaks on any property as needing a permit. Don't assume an exemption — email the County Tree Coordinator at [email protected].
• Application: County form PER-071, online or by email. Include a location sketch, photos, trunk diameter at 4.5 ft, the reason for the work, and the tree owner's consent.
• Fee and timing: the County lists a $31.95 permit fee (effective July 1, 2025) and review typically under 10 working days.
• Who does the work: for branches, limbs, or roots over 2" in diameter, the County requires the work be done by an ISA Certified Arborist or ISA Certified Tree Worker.
• Emergencies: a hazardous oak threatening structures or lives may be removed with permission from the Director of Public Works (or the fire district after hours).
• Violations: the ordinance makes violations a misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine) and allows the County to require replacement oaks with a combined diameter equal to what was removed.

Do I need an arborist report?

Not every homeowner permit requires a formal report, but a qualified arborist's written assessment is often the strongest support for removing a dead, diseased, or failing oak. Sacramento City Code defines an "arborist report" as one prepared by a "qualified arborist" (ISA Certified Arborist, ASCA registered consulting arborist, or 5+ years' documented experience following ANSI A300 standards), with contents determined by the City's Director. A useful report identifies species and DSH, documents defects with photos, and explains why pruning won't solve the problem. You can verify an arborist's credential with ISA's Find an Arborist directory.

Before you hire

• Ask whether the quote includes handling the permit application, and don't let work start until the permit is issued and on site.
• If the oak is on or near a property line, see Neighbor's tree and property line rules — the tree owner must consent.
• Tree work is a CSLB-licensed specialty in California (C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor); verify the contractor at cslb.ca.gov.

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Tree removal costs by area: Sacramento · Elk Grove · Roseville · Folsom · Citrus Heights · Rancho Cordova · Carmichael · West Sacramento · Davis · Natomas · Antelope · Fair Oaks
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