Tree Removal Permits in Granite Bay: 2026 Guide

Granite Bay sits at the edge of the greater Sacramento area, but when it comes to tree removal permits, it’s in an entirely different world from its neighbors to the south. Granite Bay is an unincorporated community in Placer County — not Sacramento County — and tree removal here is governed by the Placer County Woodland Conservation Ordinance (Article 19.50). The rules, the agency you contact, the permit portal, and the oak size thresholds are all different. This guide covers what you actually need to know in 2026.

Granite Bay Is in Placer County — Why It Matters

This is a common point of confusion for residents and even for contractors who work across the greater Sacramento region. Granite Bay sits right at the county line, and many neighboring communities (Roseville, Citrus Heights, Fair Oaks) are in Sacramento County or are Sacramento County incorporated cities. But Granite Bay is definitively in Placer County.

What does that mean practically? Sacramento County’s Tree Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 16.210) does not applyto Granite Bay. The permit office is not in Sacramento — it’s in Auburn. The ordinance is different. The protected species thresholds are different (5" DBH for all oaks in Placer County, vs. 6" DBH for valley oaks only in Sacramento County). And the fee structure is different.

Granite Bay is also explicitly named as one of four “Woodland Conservation Zones” in Placer County Code §19.50.040 — meaning it receives the full protections of the Woodland Conservation Ordinance along with the Granite Bay Community Plan, which adds land-use guidance specifically emphasizing preservation of oak woodlands and the area’s rural character.

The Placer County Woodland Conservation Ordinance (Art. 19.50)

The governing ordinance is Placer County Code Article 19.50 — Woodland Conservation Ordinance, most recently updated through Ord. No. 6370-B (April 14, 2026). Here is what it protects in Granite Bay:

• All oak species (Quercus spp.) at 5" DBH or larger — this includes valley oak, blue oak, interior live oak, and all other native oaks. The threshold is 5 inches DBH (measured at 4.5 feet above ground), and it applies to all oak species, not just valley oaks.
• Riparian zone trees (all species, any size) — any tree within 50 feet of a seasonal creek/stream, or 100 feet of a year-round creek or the Folsom Lake shoreline, is protected regardless of species or size. This is a countywide rule.
• Landmark trees — trees or groves designated by the Board of Supervisors for special community benefit. Landmark trees always require a permit, even if they would otherwise be exempt.

What’s exempt: Foothill pine (Pinus sabiniana) is specifically exempt from Article 19.50. Manzanita and similar brush plants are not considered trees under the ordinance regardless of size.

Heritage-Quality Oaks in Granite Bay

Granite Bay is characterized by large residential lots — often an acre or more — with significant valley oak populations. Many of the oaks on Granite Bay properties are genuinely heritage-quality specimens: large, multi-century trees with extensive root systems and impressive canopies that are not replaceable within any reasonable timeframe.

If you have a particularly large or ancient oak, check with Placer County CDRA Planning whether it has received any formal landmark designation. Even without a formal designation, a tree of exceptional size or age will face heightened scrutiny in the permit review process. Removal of landmark-quality trees is unlikely to be approved without compelling documentation of hazard, disease, or structural failure — and mitigation (replacement planting or payment to the county’s Tree Preservation Fund) is typically required.

Riparian Areas and Folsom Lake

Granite Bay has significant riparian exposure — the community borders Folsom Lake, and several seasonal creeks run through residential areas. The Placer County riparian buffer rules apply countywide:

• 50 feet from the centerline of seasonal creeks/streams — any tree within this buffer, regardless of species or size, requires a permit.
• 100 feet from year-round creeks, streams, rivers, or the Folsom Lake shoreline — same protection applies. Properties along the Folsom Lake waterfront or near perennial creek corridors fall into this category automatically.

If your Granite Bay property is near any water feature — lake frontage, a seasonal drainage, or a creek — contact Placer County CDRA before planning any tree removal. Work in riparian zones triggers an environmental review requirement (effectively a CEQA trigger for discretionary projects) that goes beyond the standard Minor Tree Permit process.

HOA Rules: A Second Layer of Approval

Granite Bay has a number of gated communities and planned developments with active HOAs. In these neighborhoods, HOA CC&Rs add a layer of restriction on top of Placer County rules — and HOA approval is required separately, before any work begins.

Many Granite Bay HOAs specifically address the preservation of oak trees and require written architectural committee approval for any removal, regardless of county permit status. The Granite Bay Community Plan’s emphasis on preserving oak woodlands reinforces this cultural expectation at the HOA level.

Important:A Placer County tree permit does not override your HOA CC&Rs. An HOA approval letter does not satisfy the county permit requirement. Both may be needed, and both must be obtained before any removal work proceeds.

Dead Trees, Hazardous Trees, and Exemptions

Under Article 19.50, exemptions exist for trees that are dead, dying, diseased, or posing an immediate hazard to health or property. However, even in these situations, if the tree is a protected oak or is in a riparian zone, you should contact Placer County CDRA before proceeding. The exemptions have specific criteria, and documenting the hazardous condition (ideally with an arborist report and photographs) protects you from after-the-fact enforcement.

Fire prevention and defensible space are recognized policy goals in the ordinance — but removing living protected oaks for defensible space beyond the exemption thresholds still requires a permit. Placer County intends to balance fire risk reduction with woodland conservation, not use fire safety as a blanket exemption.

How to Apply: Placer County CDRA

• Permit type: Minor Tree Permit (for single-family residential lots with no other discretionary permit required)
• Apply online: permits.placer.ca.gov — or in person at the CDRA Auburn office.
• Office address: 3091 County Center Drive, Auburn, CA 95603
• Phone: (530) 745-3000
• Fees: Deposit-based (at-cost), plus a 3.5% technology surcharge. Specific amounts are set on the annual Placer County Planning Fee Schedule — call (530) 745-3000 for a current fee estimate before submitting. See the fee schedule at placer.ca.gov/2870.
• What you’ll need: Site plan showing tree locations, species, DBH, and proximity to structures and driveways; project description; universal application form. An arborist report may be requested.

How TreeMax Helps Granite Bay Clients

We work regularly in Granite Bay and are familiar with the Placer County Woodland Conservation Ordinance, the riparian buffer rules near Folsom Lake, and the HOA environments in Granite Bay’s gated communities. When we assess a job in Granite Bay, permit research is part of the process — we identify whether the specific tree requires a Placer County permit, confirm whether riparian or landmark rules apply, and check for HOA requirements before we give you a final price and timeline.

Our ISA-trained arborists can prepare the written assessments and site documentation that Placer County permit applications often require, and we can help coordinate with Placer County CDRA directly when needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Granite Bay in Sacramento County or Placer County?

Granite Bay is in Placer County. This is commonly confused — Granite Bay sits near the county line, but it is definitively Placer County. Tree removal permits go through Placer County CDRA in Auburn, not Sacramento County.

What trees are protected in Granite Bay?

All oak species (Quercusspp.) at 5" DBH or larger are protected under the Placer County Woodland Conservation Ordinance. Any tree within riparian setback zones (50–100 feet of waterways) is also protected regardless of species or size. Foothill pine is exempt.

How do I apply for a tree permit in Granite Bay?

Apply online at permits.placer.ca.gov or in person at Placer County CDRA, 3091 County Center Drive, Auburn, CA 95603. Call (530) 745-3000 for current fees and estimated processing time.

Do I need HOA approval in addition to a Placer County permit?

In many Granite Bay neighborhoods, yes. HOA CC&Rs and county permits are separate processes — both may be required. Get HOA approval in writing before scheduling any removal work.