Plant a Street Tree
Thank you for your interest in planting a street tree and beautifying San Francisco. There is no fee required for a Tree Planting Permit, however, the permit is necessary to ensure that street trees do not impact infrastructure and are appropriately planted so that they thrive and become a neighborhood asset.
Tree Planting Permits can be submitted online. Please read through the planting process and guidelines on this page before submitting your application.
Hardcopy forms may also be downloaded and submitted via fax or mail: Tree Planting Permit Process and Application (PDF). Return the completed and signed application form including the number and name of the tree species to be planted. If the planting is related to new construction, include site plans accurately showing tree locations as well as the location of utilities, street lights, and other street furniture. Please include your building permit number.
If construction triggers the tree planting requirement Section 806 of the Public Works Code, submittal must include:
- Tree Planting Application
- Site plans accurately showing tree locations as well as the location of utilities, street lights, and other street furniture
- A complete Checklist for Tree Planting and Protection (PDF)
*Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) update as of October 2018, for ADU projects only: property owners may now elect to pay the in-lieu fee instead of planting the required trees.
Planting Process
A Public Works inspector will evaluate the proposed tree locations and tree species. Tree basins will be located in compliance with Order 187,246, as well as the Minimum Guidelines, which accompany the application. Call Underground Service Alert at 800-227-2600 to check for the location of your underground utilities. If underground utilities are closer than the required minimum distance, or if you have questions, you can call Public Works at (628) 652-8733.
It is recommended that the Permittee carry adequate liability insurance. Other department restrictions may apply.
General Requirements
-
Trees to be planted must be from a minimum 15-gallon nursery container (24" box minimum nursery container for required trees)
-
Eight feet of vertical clearance must be maintained on the sidewalk side of the tree and 14 feet of vertical clearance maintained on the street side of the tree at maturity
-
Newly planted trees shall not have branches that obstruct the path of travel on the sidewalk. Maintain branches within the confines of the tree basin
-
Raised structures around the tree basin can present a tripping hazard and are not allowed
-
Trees to be planted should be the largest stature possible given utilities and space considerations. Check the Recommended Street Tree and Plant List webpage for tree species options.
-
A basin cover, perimeter of red brick, or other approved material is encouraged in the tree basin in the following cases:
- A bus zone exists
- Heavy pedestrian traffic
- Sidewalks with a grade of 10% or greater
- The tree basins is adjacent to a parking meter
Minimum Restrictions
Trees may not be planted within:
- Twenty five feet of a traffic signal or stop sign
- Three feet of a parking sign unless the Department of Parking and Traffic agrees to relocate the sign
- Three feet of a gas or water meter
- Five feet of a sewer line
- Five feet of a fire hydrant
- 10 feet from a fire escape
- 15 – 20 feet of existing trees if both are small mature-sized trees. The location must be approved by an urban forestry inspector who will base their determination on site and tree species
The property owner shall check for the presence of underground utilities in the area of a proposed plantings and shall be solely responsible in avoiding interference with or damage to electric or telephone conduits, sewers and other utilities. Once again, you can check for the location of your underground gas and utility services by calling Underground Service Alert at 800-227-2600.
San Francisco’s Urban Forest
The Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry is committed to a policy of maintaining and expanding a diverse population of street trees as an essential component of San Francisco’s urban forest. In addition to issuing tree planting and removal permits, we are responsible for maintaining the City’s approximately 125,000 street trees through the StreetTreeSF program. Private property owners are responsible for maintaining trees on their property. The Bureau of Urban Forestry provides resources to homeowners who would like more information about maintaining public or private trees.
Benefits of a healthy urban forest include:
-
Increased real estate values
-
Improved air quality
-
Improved wildlife habitat
-
Improved psychological well-being
-
Improved aesthetic environment
-
Decreased noise
Resources
The San Francisco Friends of the Urban Forest (FUF) may be able to assist you directly with the entire permit process including tree planting. FUF is a non-profit neighborhood tree planting organization and offers tree maintenance programs.
Additional Resources
- Approved Street Tree List
- Guidelines for Planting Street Trees
- Young Street Tree Pruning Guidelines
- Tree Removal Permits
For additional information, contact us at:
San Francisco Public Works
Bureau of Urban Forestry
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 1000 (Map)
San Francisco, CA 94103
628-652-TREE (8733)
urbanforestry@sfdpw.org
Mission
San Francisco Public Works is one of the largest and most complex municipal operations in the City, with a 1,600-member workforce and a $384 million annual operating budget. The department's active capital project portfolio exceeds $3 billion. As one of San Francisco oldest City departments, it is also one of the most forward-thinking. Keeping San Francisco beautiful, safe and sustainable.
Additional Resources
Follow us: 
