PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
Alameda County Urban Forestry Program

Unincorporated Alameda County has approximately 280,168 acres in which substantial portions were and are covered by native, indigenous and historical trees. The County recognizes that the preservation of these trees and our urban forest enhances the natural scenic beauty, sustains the long term potential increase in property values, which encourages quality development, maintains the ecology, moderates the effect of extreme temperatures, prevents the erosion of topsoil, helps create an identity and quality, which enhances the attractiveness of the County to visitors and increases the oxygen output of the area which is needed to combat air pollution. For these reasons the Alameda County Board of Supervisors finds that in order to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the County while at the same time recognizing individual rights to develop and maintain private property in a manner which will not be prejudicial to the public interest it is necessary to enact regulations controlling the planting, pruning and removal in order to preserve trees within the County right-of-way.

(click here for Alameda County Tree Ordinance)

The Alameda County Board of Supervisors recognized the need for tree preservation and adopted the Alameda County Pilot Tree Policy in April of 2000. By May 2002 the need for a Tree Ordinance became apparent and the Alameda County Tree Ordinance was adopted. After a year of implementation, problems were identified and changes to the Ordinance were necessary. In September 2003 the Alameda County Board of Supervisors adopted the revisions to the Alameda County Tree Ordinance.

The Tree Ordinance is the County's primary regulatory tool to provide for orderly protection and preservation of all street trees located within the County right-of-way. Enforcement of the Tree Ordinance promotes health, safety, welfare, and quality of life for residents of the unincorporated areas of Alameda County. Additionally, educating citizens with the standards of tree care as well as the Tree Ordinance guidelines and regulations will assure the preservation and protection of trees.

1. To manage tree resources in the County right-of-way; to protect and promote community values consistent with the safety of the motoring and pedestrian public and of public and private property.
2. To protect and preserve urban trees which have high value for unincorporated communities and neighborhoods.
3. To plan and implement innovative programs to enhance and expand urban and suburban tree resources, and supporting activities.
4. To communicate the importance of urban and community forestry activities to a broad range of community participants through outreach and education and encourage and support grassroots and local efforts in building sustainable urban forest ecosystems.
5. To integrate guidelines and services of the Urban Forestry Program with other County and agency programs to maximize effectiveness and provide technology sharing.

PROGRAM PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES

MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY: Alameda County General Ordinance Code, Section 12.11.130 of the Tree Ordinance states that it is the responsibility of the property owner to maintain the tree(s) in perpetuity.

PERMITS (click here for permit application)

The Alameda County Public Works Agency encourages the planting of trees along County right-of-way in the unincorporated areas of the County. The County Tree Ordinance requires property owners planning to perform any of the following activities to obtain an approved permit from the Alameda County Public Works Agency:

• Pruning/ Trimming of branches over one (1) inch in diameter
  (Permits are not required for minor pruning of branches one (1") inch in diameter or less)
• Removing
• Planting

There is a non-refundable permit application fee for pruning/trimming and removal (see FAQs, Permit Application (117 Kb)* and Permit Instructions (117 Kb) *) that covers a portion of the cost of the inspection. The County covers the costs associated with the Urban Forestry Program, permit processing, and shares a portion of the inspection costs.

• Yearly permits are available for maintenance only for qualifying contractors. If a contractor in possession of a yearly (non-site specific) permit is hired, the homeowner will not need to apply for a site-specific permit.
• Fees for permit applications to plant a tree will be waived in order to encourage the planting of trees within the County right-of-way.

Property owners must keep a copy of an approved permit on site while tree work is performed. Any work performed on a street tree located within the right-of-way of the incorporated area of the County without an approved permit is a violation of the County Tree Ordinance and is subject to penalties and fines .

ANNUAL NON-SITE SPECIFIC PERMITS (click here for application)

Licensed contractors that meet the following requirements will be eligible to apply for annual maintenance permits:

1. The contractor must possess a valid license with the California State Contractors Licensing Board.
2. The contractor agrees to perform all work in accordance with County specified standards.
3. The contractor has paid any applicable fees as established by the Director.
4. The contractor agrees to furnish the County with a monthly report regarding any work that has been performed within the County right-of-way.

Property owners who retain a contractor that is in possession of an Annual Non-Site Specific permit will not need to apply for an individual permit for maintenance.

In an effort to protect and maintain healthy trees, the County requires that any person or utility proposing to prune, trim or perform any other maintenance on any or all trees located within the County right-of-way must obtain an approved Tree Permit. Permit requirements will be waived for minor pruning of branches one (1) inch in diameter or less. The County requires that in accordance with state law, all work shall be performed by a licensed contractor ( BP 7026.1c ). All tree trimming must be in compliance with the International Society of Arboriculture Tree Pruning Guidelines and the Standard Practices for Tree Care Operations: Tree, Shrub, and other Woody Plant Maintenance (ANSI A300) .

• Pruning Mature Trees (4.51 MB) *
• Pruning Young Trees (4.63 MB) *

The County may require the property owner to trim, clean-up, support, or repair a tree if so necessary for reasons of public safety.

Topping

Topping is considered to be harmful to trees, therefore, topping of trees located within the right-of-way in the unincorporated areas of the County will not be allowed. In the case that a tree is topped the owner will be subject to penalties, fines, and the costs of completing the removal and replacement of the tree if so designated by the Director of Public Works. A tree that has been pollarded in the past may continue to be pollarded in the future so long as the property owner obtains the Director's prior written approval.

Per Title 12, Section 12.11.140 of the Alameda County Tree Ordinance it shall be prohibited for any person or utility to remove or cause to be removed any tree from the right-of-way unless so authorized by an approved tree permit issued by the Director pursuant to this chapter. Any property owner wishing to remove a tree located within the County right-of-way must obtain permission to remove the tree by obtaining an approved tree permit and is responsible for replacing the tree with a type of tree selected from the County's "Recommended Tree List" (see "Street Tree Selection Procedures").

STREET TREE SELECTION PROCEDURES

• Buying High-Quality Trees (5.15 MB) *
• Tree Selection (12.99 MB) *

Refer to the " Alameda County Recommended Tree List " for a listing of trees generally recommended for planting within the County right-of-way. The list includes a variety of tree shapes and sizes. Please be aware this list focuses on hardy and readily available tree species that are less likely to cause concrete damage.

Prior to selecting a tree from the approved list for aesthetics and appropriateness, the property owner should consider the following before a tree is planted:

Before You Plant, Know What is Already in the Ground

Please call Underground Service Alert (USA) at 1-800-227-2588 to request the location of all underground utilities. They will mark your planting area for the location of your water, electric and gas lines. Care should be taken that trees are planted at least six feet to the side of underground facilities. Proper selection of trees under or near power lines reduces fire hazards, decreases power outages, limits the need for frequent pruning, increases property value, and adds beauty to the community.

You can confirm the location of your side sewer through your local Sanitation District. Knowing these locations in advance may save you time and money by preventing an accident from occurring when you dig to plant your tree and it will prolong the life of your tree.

When planting under power lines choose only small-scale trees that will remain at least 10 feet away from the High Voltage power lines at maturity.

Planting Your Street Tree

• New Tree Planting (5.12 MB) *

Before the property owner can obtain an approved permit to plant a tree, the procedure requires the County's Arborist to review and approve the type of tree and the planting location. The property owner will be responsible for properly planting and maintaining the tree. This includes watering during the drier seasons, mulching (4.51 MB) * and pruning according to the prescribed standards.

TREE ADVISORY BOARD

The Tree Advisory Board consists of five residents of the County of Alameda appointed by each member of the Board of Supervisors. The Tree Advisory Board is responsible for developing, updating, advising, recommending and reporting to the Director of Public Works regarding appeals, design, care, planting, conservation, replanting, and removal of trees.

Members of the Tree Advisory Board are appointed for a twenty-four (24) month term. In the event that a vacancy shall occur during the term of any member, a successor shall be appointed for the remaining portion of the term. Members of the Tree Advisory Board serve without compensation.

SIDEWALKS AND STREET TREES

Per the Alameda County Sidewalk Repair Procedures, if a tree within the County right-of-way is found to be the cause of a tripping condition, the County will evaluate its condition to determine if the tree can be retained in conjunction with work to correct the sidewalk condition. If the tree is in good condition, the County will recommend retaining the tree whenever possible. Preserving healthy trees can be achieved through minor root pruning and sometimes by rerouting the sidewalk around the tree. Should the tree be recommended for removal, the property owner would be required to complete the removal, grind the stump and replace the tree, and will be responsible for all costs associated with the repairs of the sidewalk (see California Street and Highways Code, Section 5610). For more information regarding the Sidewalk Repair Program, please call (510) 670-5500.

CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

The Urban Forestry Program provides Landscape Architectural design services for many of the County's capital improvement projects and reviews the design of landscaping for private developments. The County Forester and Arborist work with the Project Engineers to identify exceptional trees and begin early discussions with developers.

URBAN PARKWAYS PROGRAM

The Urban Parkways Program was established to preserve and promote public area landscape planting, including trees, along County-maintained, designated roadways, consistent with requirements for community identity and aesthetics, and for a roadway design that is safe for motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians. This program is solely funded through federal grants and partnerships.

In addition to street and parkway trees in the unincorporated communities of Ashland, Castro Valley, Cherryland, Fairview, San Lorenzo, and Sunol, the program addresses other unincorporated areas of environmental significance, including scenic corridors, recreational trails, creeks, and Flood Control District lands.

For more information regarding the Alameda County Urban Forestry Program, please call the Alameda County Public Works Agency's Maintenance and Operations Department at (510) 670-5500.

Click here for more Alameda County Tree Ordinance information

Click here for Tree Advisory Board Meeting Minute list