Street Trees make up a large part of the City’s Urban Forest. The trees planted in the parkway area between the sidewalk and the street including neighborhood theme trees, are generally considered Street Trees. Our Urban Forest Services conducts zonal pruning on these trees approximately every 6 years.

In between that time, property owners are responsible for trees adjacent to their property and within the public right-of-way and shall at all times ensure that no tree, shrub or other plant for which the property owner bears responsibility is maintained so as to create a dangerous condition of public property. Hazards shall include, but not be limited to, branches hanging over sidewalks and shrubbery growing into the right-of-way, which interferes with passage or visibility. (M.C. 12.24.100) 

Tree care contractors must possess an appropriate contractor's license, business license in the City and have at least one currently certified ISA Arborist on its staff overseeing any approved tree work. Please contact Public Works at 781-7220 regarding any proposed tree work on a City Street Tree.

A complete application packet is required for removal of any Street Tree; any tree over the size requirement listed in Section 12.24.090(C); any tree within 25' of a creek bank; any tree that is related to development, construction or remodel; and any tree that is within a commercial area or part of a community development approved plan such as a shopping center, apartment, condo, or any HOA managed property.

Yes, but only when the tree is located on developed residential zoned private property R-1 and R-2 zones and under 20'' diameter at diameter standard height (DSH) or a native tree under 10'' in diameter at DSH. (see list below).
Any tree removals related to Development, Construction, Multi-Family and Commercial zoned property, or part of a Homeowner’s Association (HOA) will need a Tree Removal Application on file with the City of San Luis Obispo.

A permit is not required - Section 12.24.090 (C): if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The tree is a designated native species and the trunk is less than ten inches in diameter as measured by diameter standard height (DSH, four feet, six inches per International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) standards) (see Section 12.24.030, Definitions; native trees), or when the tree is nonnative and the trunk is less than twenty inches DSH; and
2. The tree is not located within a creek setback area (see Section 17.70.030); and
3. The tree is not a designated street tree, and is not located within ten feet of the back of the sidewalk; and
4. Planting or retention of the tree was not a condition of development; or
5. The tree is a palm and the trunk is less than twelve inches DSH.

Native Trees Under 10" Diameter:

• Quercus Agrifolia - Coast Live Oak
• Umbellularia Californica - California Laurel
• Platanus Racemosa - California Sycamore
• Juglans Californica - Southern California Black Walnut
• Salix Lasiolepis - Willow
• Populus Trichocarpa - Black Cottonwood
• Heteromeles Arbutifolia - California Holly Toyon
• Acer Macrophyllum - Big Leaf Maple
• Acer Negundo - Box Elder
• Quercus Lobata - Valley or White Oak
  

Please refer to page 4 to view the current tree removal fees in our Comprehensive Fee Schedule.
Fees are payable by check to City of San Luis Obispo upon in person submission of complete application or via credit card if emailed. Applications may be emailed to Walter Gault at wgault@slocity.org

Only a property owner or authorized agent acting on behalf of the property owner can submit a tree removal application for review by the City Arborist.

The diameter of a tree is calculated by taking the circumference measurement around the tree at 41/2 feet above ground level (if on a slope, taken from the uphill side).Once you know the circumference, divide that number by 3.14 to get the diameter of the tree. Example: A tree’s circumference measures 72” around so divide that number by 3.14 to equal 22.9” in diameter.