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The tree in the strip between your sidewalk and the street is in front of your house, shades your yard, and drops leaves on your lawn — but in the City of Sacramento it usually isn't yours. That matters if it needs pruning, drops a limb, lifts the sidewalk, or you want it gone. This guide explains which trees count as City trees, what the City does and what owners still have to do, how to request service, what it takes to remove a street tree, and how neighboring cities handle the same question differently.
Under Sacramento City Code ch. 12.56 § 12.56.020, a "City tree" is any tree whose trunk, measured 4.5 feet above the ground, is partly or completely in a City park, on City-owned property, or in a public right-of-way — including any street, road, sidewalk, park strip, mow strip, or alley. The City of Sacramento Urban Forestry – Tree Permits page uses the same description. So the location of the trunk is what counts, not who planted the tree or who waters it.
Not sure where the right-of-way ends? The City's City of Sacramento – Tree Questions page says to review the code and call or email 311 if you're uncertain; Urban Forestry staff can help identify a protected tree. Trees fully on your side of the right-of-way line are private — your responsibility, and possibly protected if they're large or native (see Sacramento tree permits).
Even when the tree is the City's, § 12.56.080 puts some duties on the adjacent owner:
The City also says owners will be charged if the City prunes private trees that are blocking street lights or traffic and parking signs. And § 12.56.110 says nothing in the chapter relieves an owner or occupant of the duty to keep their property, sidewalks, and adjacent planting area in a safe condition.
Call or email 311 (from outside city limits, 916-808-5011). The City asks for the address, the cross street, and a telephone number if you're the owner or resident. Use 311 for a fallen branch or tree from a City tree, a City tree encroaching into the right-of-way, or trees blocking street lights, traffic signs, or parking signs. If a wire is touching a tree, assume it's energized — stay away and call SMUD immediately. See trees near power lines and what to do after a storm.
Only with a permit. The City says you cannot trim a City street tree without one, and a City arborist evaluates the request to confirm the work follows current arboricultural standards and that the person or company doing it is qualified. Topping is never routine maintenance: the City calls it a harmful and unacceptable practice and suggests consulting a qualified arborist about alternatives if you think a tree needs to be reduced. For pruning timing on your own trees, see when to trim trees.
The City says street trees are protected by ordinance and that it generally removes City trees only for reasons of public safety. Private parties can apply to remove a City tree at their own expense for other reasons by getting a permit and providing for a replacement; a City arborist decides whether removal is justified in the individual case. Under § 12.56.050, the City considers factors including:
If a removal permit is issued, the City posts notice at the tree for 15 days, and anyone may appeal; the permit isn't effective until the notice period ends or appeals are resolved. The permittee must remove the stump and nearby roots to a depth of 18 inches and fill the hole with clean topsoil (unless waived), and repair any damage to the street, curb, or sidewalk. A replacement plan is required under § 12.56.060 — options include planting, an in-lieu fee, or credit for preserving smaller trees. Removing or pruning a City tree without a permit can bring administrative penalties of $250 to $25,000.
The removal work itself is contractor work: tree removal and most pruning of trees 15 feet or taller generally requires a CSLB license under Business and Professions Code § 7026.1 (C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor), and the City may ask for proof of licensing with the application. See how to hire a tree service and tree removal cost in Sacramento.
If you've received a City notice to repair the sidewalk and tree roots — from a City or private tree — are the cause, the City says to call 311 after the sidewalk has been removed and the roots exposed; a City arborist will recommend how roots should be cut. Keep the work order number from your Agreement to Repair Sidewalks handy. Repairing a sidewalk without a City notice requires an encroachment permit first. More: tree roots, sewers and foundations.
Street-tree rules differ a lot across the region — in some cities the adjacent owner is responsible:
Tenants should report street-tree problems to 311 and tell the landlord; private trees on the lot are usually the owner's to handle — see landlords, tenants and HOAs. In some newer subdivisions, trees along private streets or common areas belong to the HOA rather than the City — see tree removal in an HOA.
In the City of Sacramento, a tree whose trunk is in the public right-of-way — including the park strip, mow strip, sidewalk, street, or alley — is a City tree, and Urban Forestry maintains it. The adjacent owner still has duties under City Code § 12.56.080, including maintaining the unpaved part of the right-of-way (which includes irrigating City trees) and removing fallen leaves and debris from City trees.
Not without a permit. The City says you cannot trim a City street tree without a permit, and a City arborist evaluates the scope of work and whether the person or company is qualified. The City generally removes City trees only for public safety, but you can apply to remove one at your own expense for other reasons and provide a replacement; the City decides case by case.
Call or email 311 with the address, the cross street, and a phone number. City Urban Forestry handles fallen branches and trees from City trees, keeps emergency crews for storms, and prunes trees out of cycle when they affect buildings, block the street, sidewalk, or signs, or are a safety hazard.
The City says its current pruning cycle is approximately every five years, depending on location, species, and size.
The City says that if you've received a notice to repair the sidewalk and roots (from a City or private tree) are the cause, call 311 after the sidewalk is removed and the roots exposed; a City arborist will come out to recommend how roots should be cut. Have the work order number from your Agreement to Repair Sidewalks ready. If you repair a sidewalk without a City notice, you need an encroachment permit first.
We don't do tree work ourselves. Tell us about your tree and we'll connect you with independent local tree professionals so you can compare written quotes. Always verify the contractor's license and insurance at cslb.ca.gov.
Tree removal costs by area: Sacramento · Elk Grove · Roseville · Folsom · Citrus Heights · Rancho Cordova · Carmichael · West Sacramento · Davis · Natomas · Antelope · Fair Oaks
More guides: Stump grinding cost · Emergency/storm removal · Tree trimming cost · Palm tree removal · Tree permits · Tree fell on house: insurance · Neighbor & boundary trees · Oak tree removal · Dead/hazardous trees · Trees near power lines · Roots, sewers & foundations · Elk Grove permits · Roseville permits · Folsom permits · Citrus Heights permits · Rancho Cordova permits · Sacramento County permits · Davis permits · West Sacramento permits · Hiring a tree service · After a storm · Pine tree removal · When to trim · Defensible space · Landlords, tenants & HOAs · Trees & solar panels · Remove or trim? · Preparing for removal day · Eucalyptus removal · Crane removal cost · Tree removal in an HOA · Arborist reports for permits · Street trees: who's responsible · Sycamore removal