Description of Sacramento City Council approved fees for Tree Permits, Appeals to Tree Permits, and Tree Replacement In-Lieu Fees.
Additionally, the Council approved requiring Tree Permit appeals to be heard by a Hearing Examiner.
If you live in Sacramento and have large trees on your property you will want to become familiar with the tree ordinance approved earlier this year in August, as well as the permit process. The ordinance regulates the planting, maintenance and conservation of trees. See related post: Sacramento – City of Trees.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
When I reviewed the adopted ordinance, for example, I learned that both my front yard tree and my back yard tree are now “private protected trees”. Understanding what activities fall under the definition of “minor pruning” and “routine maintenance” and those that may now fall under the definition of “regulated work” is important.
Tree Permit Application and Tree Permit Appeal Fees
A proposed flat rate fee for tree permit applications associated with development projects was replaced with a tiered fee structure as follows:
- $50 for tree permit applications not associated with development projects.
- $750 for tree permit applications associated with development (single-unit dwelling or duplex).
- $1,400 for tree permit applications associated with development (three or more dwelling units).
- $2,000 for all other mixed use and commercial projects.
The fee for permit application appeals is $298. However, the City Clerk is authorized to waive the appeal fee if the appellant is financially incapable of paying.
According to City staff, the tree permit and appeal fees will help offset the costs associated with processing tree permit applications and their associated appeals.
In-Lieu Fees
The City of Sacramento tree ordinance requires an approved tree replacement plan before any permit for removal of a private protected tree is issued. The same requirements are in place for removal of city trees.
An in-lieu fee option is provided for the approved tree replacement plan. The approved fee structure is as follows:
- $325 for each one inch DSH (diameter at standard height) of tree removed (for trees other than palm trees).
- $100 for each linear foot in height (for palm trees).
The revenue generated from in-lieu fees is, according to City staff, for the purpose of tree planting and tree replacement and is needed to offset the cost of tree removal. In-lieu fees for tree replacement will be deposited into the Tree Planting and Replacement Fund.
Comments on the Sacramento Adopted Tree Regulations?
Were you involved in the development of the tree ordinance? What do you think needs to be done during the Urban Forestry Management Plan Update?
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