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Tree removal permits in unincorporated Sacramento County

If you live in Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Antelope, Orangevale, Arden-Arcade, North Highlands, Rio Linda, Gold River, or another community that isn't an incorporated city, your tree rules come from Sacramento County — not the City of Sacramento or a neighboring city. The County requires a tree permit for native oaks (including on private residential lots), public trees, landmark trees, and certain landscaping trees. Here's what the County's pages and code say.

First: are you in the County or a city?

Your mailing address can be misleading — many homes with a "Sacramento" mailing city are actually in unincorporated County territory, and vice versa. The Sacramento County – Tree Permits page says that if you live in a city within Sacramento County, you contact that city instead, and recommends checking your address in the Sacramento County Assessor's Parcel Viewer, where cities are colored and labeled. City guides: City of Sacramento · Citrus Heights · Rancho Cordova · Elk Grove · Folsom.

When does the County require a tree permit?

According to the Sacramento County – Tree Permits page, a County tree permit is required to remove or prune any public tree and certain private trees, with these typical examples:

• Native oaks on any property, including private residential properties.
• Public trees — trees next to roadways in the County right-of-way, or on County land or parkways. (For street trees, trees on public land, or trees along creeks, the County says to call 311.)
• Landmark trees — especially prominent and stately trees, often identified during development review.
• Select landscaping trees — trees in parking lots, around commercial buildings, and in residential common areas of apartment complexes or HOAs.

The County cites two sources of authority: its Sacramento County Code ch. 19.12 (Tree Preservation Ordinance) and Sacramento County Zoning Code § 5.2.4 (Landscape Standards).

Which oaks count?

The County's Tree Preservation Ordinance (§ 19.12.040) defines a native oak as valley oak, interior live oak, blue oak, or oracle oak, and a regulated "tree" as a living native oak with at least one trunk 6 inches or more in diameter, or a multi-trunk native oak with an aggregate diameter of 10 inches or more, measured 4.5 feet above the ground on the high side of the tree (diameter = circumference ÷ 3.142). Note that coast live oak isn't on the County's list. The County's native oak identification guide (PDF) can help you tell species apart.

Under § 19.12.060, no one may trench, grade, or fill within the dripline of such a tree, or destroy, kill, or remove it, without a tree permit (or approval as part of a discretionary project).

Exemptions: don't assume

Section 19.12.050 of the ordinance says the chapter doesn't apply to (a) lots in the County's "designated urban area" created by a final subdivision map of five or more lots, each 10,000 sq ft or less and developed with a single-family house, duplex, or halfplex; or (b) lots in the Sierra Oaks Vista, Sierra Oaks, Arden Park Vista, and Arden Oaks subdivisions — except that land in the designated urban area within the 100-year floodplain is never exempt. However, the County's current permit page describes native oaks "on any property, including on private residential properties" as needing a permit, and also points to Zoning Code rules. Because those sources read differently, don't rely on an exemption without written confirmation — email the County Tree Coordinator at [email protected].

How to apply

• Form: Tree Permit Application (form PER-071), submitted through the County online permit portal, or by letter or email to [email protected].
• What to include (per the County's page): the tree's address and your contact info; a sketch or aerial photo showing each tree's location and nearby landmarks (numbered if more than one); photos of the whole tree, the trunk from 10 feet away, and any defects such as dead limbs or cracks — plus photos of any property damage; trunk diameter at 4.5 ft; the reason for the work; and the tree owner's consent.
• Neighbor's tree: the County requires the tree owner's consent even if the tree hangs over your property. If the tree is on the adjacent lot, you need a signed, dated letter from the neighbor authorizing you (or your tree company) to do the work, describing the tree and any conditions. See neighbor & boundary tree rules.
• Who does the work: the application must say who will do it. Some minor pruning can be done by the applicant, but for branches, limbs, or roots over 2 inches in diameter the County requires an ISA Certified Arborist or ISA Certified Tree Worker (ISA's Find an Arborist directory).
• Fee and timing: the County lists a $31.95 tree permit fee (effective July 1, 2025), due when the approved permit is released, and says review typically takes less than 10 working days. The ordinance itself asks that removal applications be filed at least 10 days before the planned removal.

Decision and terms: under §§ 19.12.090–19.12.100, the County considers factors such as the tree's health, disease, damage, and danger of falling; its age; effects on neighboring trees, soil stability, and solar access; nuisance or utility conflicts and proximity to structures; and whether alternatives could save it. If denied, the County gives written reasons and the appeal procedure; the ordinance allows an appeal to the Board of Supervisors within 15 days. An approved permit is valid for six months (one extension of up to six months), covers only the trees approved, and must be kept at the work site. Removal of development-related trees may require replacement plantings.

Emergencies and violations

Under § 19.12.170, a tree in a hazardous condition requiring immediate action for the safety of structures or human life may be removed with permission of the Director of Public Works during normal working hours, or of the applicable fire district at other times — so call before cutting, even in an emergency. Violations are a misdemeanor (up to six months in jail and/or a $500 fine under § 19.12.210), and the County can require in-kind replacement of illegally removed oaks. If you've received a violation letter, the County says it's because there's no tree permit on file or permit conditions weren't met; contact the Tree Coordinator.

Practical checklist for Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Antelope & other unincorporated areas

1. Confirm you're in unincorporated County using the Parcel Viewer.
2. Identify the species: valley, interior live, blue, or oracle oak 6"+ (10"+ combined)? Then plan on a permit unless the County confirms in writing that you're exempt.
3. Tree in the street right-of-way, on County land, or along a creek? Call 311.
4. Gather photos, the trunk diameter, a sketch, and owner consent; apply online or email [email protected].
5. Hire properly: tree work is a CSLB-licensed specialty (C-49 Tree and Palm Contractor); under the CSLB bulletin on the $1,000 minor-work limit, an unlicensed person can't take a job of $1,000 or more or any job that requires a permit. Verify at cslb.ca.gov. For pruning cuts over 2 inches, make sure an ISA Certified Arborist or Certified Tree Worker is doing the work.

For typical prices, see tree removal cost in Carmichael, Fair Oaks, and Antelope.

Related guides

• Sacramento tree permits (city & county)
• Citrus Heights tree removal permits
• Rancho Cordova tree removal permits
• Oak tree removal rules
• Neighbor & boundary tree rules

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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
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