In unincorporated Sacramento County, you need a county tree permit to remove or prune a native oak (valley, interior live, blue, or oracle) with a trunk 6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet, or 10 inches combined for multi-trunk oaks. The permit costs $31.95 and review typically takes less than 10 working days.
City or county? Check first
These rules cover only unincorporated Sacramento County. Look up your parcel on the county online map to see which rules apply.
- Inside Sacramento city limits: read our City of Sacramento tree permit guide.
- Citrus Heights: see our Citrus Heights permit guide.
- Folsom: see our Folsom permit guide.
- Roseville: see our Roseville permit guide.
Unincorporated areas sit inside Sacramento County but are not part of any city, so the county writes the tree rules. In our service area that includes Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, and Antelope. The rules come from County Code Chapter 19.12, Tree Preservation and Protection, and the county explains the process on its Tree Permits page.
Which Trees Need a County Permit?
Native oaks: the 6-inch and 10-inch multi-trunk rule
The county ordinance protects four native oak species:
- Valley oak (Quercus lobata)
- Interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni)
- Blue oak (Quercus douglasii)
- Oracle oak (Quercus × morehus)
A living native oak is covered when at least one trunk is 6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground. There is also a second test for multi-trunk oaks: if the trunks add up to 10 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet, the tree is covered even when no single trunk reaches 6 inches.
To measure, wrap a tape around the trunk at 4.5 feet and divide the circumference by 3.14. A trunk about 19 inches around is roughly 6 inches across. For a multi-trunk oak, measure each trunk at the same height and add the diameters together.
The permit also covers more than cutting. The code does not allow trenching, grading, or fill inside the dripline of a protected tree without a permit, so plan ahead for driveways, pools, and utility work near an oak.
HOA, commercial, and parking-lot landscaping trees
The county permit is not only about oaks. Landscaping trees in parking lots, on commercial grounds, and in apartment or HOA common areas also need a county permit to remove or prune. HOA boards and property managers should build permit time into any tree work on shared grounds.
Public and Landmark trees
Public trees, including trees in the county right-of-way, need a permit to remove or prune. Landmark trees also need a permit. Trees outside these groups, such as most non-native trees in a private backyard, generally do not need a county permit. If you are not sure what species you have, we can identify it during a free estimate.
Do I Need a Permit to Prune an Oak, or Only to Remove One?
Both. The county says a tree permit is required to “remove or prune any public tree and certain private trees.” That means a protected oak needs a permit before it is pruned, not just before it comes down.
The application also asks who will do the work. For branches, limbs, or roots over 2 inches in diameter, the county requires ISA Certified Arborists or ISA Certified Tree Workers. Every estimate is done by an ISA Certified Arborist, and when county rules call for certified work, we have ISA Certified Arborists for it.
Dead, Dying, or Hazardous Oaks
One of the most common things we hear is, “My oak is dead, so I don’t need a permit.” In unincorporated Sacramento County, a dead oak that meets the species and size rules still needs a permit. Being dead is a strong reason for approval, but you still have to apply. The same goes for an oak that is leaning, rotting, or dropping limbs.
The code has one emergency provision. Under Section 19.12.170, a tree that is hazardous and needs immediate action for the safety of structures or human life “may be removed by permission of the Director of Public Works during normal working hours or the applicable fire district at other times.” In other words, you still need permission before the work, just from a different office. Take photos of the hazard either way.
If you are not sure whether an oak is truly a hazard, a tree risk assessment is a good first step. It also gives the county clear information to work with.
How to Apply for a Sacramento County Tree Permit
- Application: fill out the county tree permit application (form PER-071), apply through the county’s Online Permit Portal, or email the completed application to trees@saccounty.gov.
- Photos: include the whole tree, the trunk from 10 feet away, any defect, and any damage to your property.
- Fee: $31.95, due when the approved permit is released.
- Review time: the county says review typically takes less than 10 working days.
- If it is denied: the county explains the reason in writing and includes the appeal procedure.
Skipping the permit is not worth the risk. Removing or pruning a protected tree without one can lead to penalties and replanting requirements under Chapter 19.12.
Can Pruning Save the Tree Instead?
Often, yes. Before you plan a removal, ask whether pruning instead of removal would solve the problem. Many oaks that worry homeowners just need deadwood taken out, weight reduced over a roof, or clearance from a house.
- Deadwood can come out any time of year.
- Light maintenance pruning (under about 10% of the canopy) is fine year-round.
- Heavier pruning or removing a lot of live wood should wait for winter, in the dormant season.
For an oak with a weak fork or a heavy limb, support may be an option. Our guide to cabling and bracing trees explains how that works. Remember that pruning a protected oak still needs a county permit. You can also read about routine tree trimming, which is the same work as pruning.
How TreeMax Handles County Permit Jobs
We check permit rules before anything gets cut. Every estimate is done by an ISA Certified Arborist, and when county rules call for certified work, we have ISA Certified Arborists for it. We look at the species, measure the trunk, and tell you whether a permit applies before you get a price.
We can file the permit application for you for a $150 service fee. That’s separate from the $31.95 county permit fee, which is paid to Sacramento County. Our own crews do the work once the permit is approved, done properly and to ISA standards.
We work across unincorporated Sacramento County, including Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, and Antelope. Fair Oaks readers can also see our Fair Oaks tree permit guide. If the oak has to come down, see our page on tree removal in Sacramento. Office hours are Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Start with a free estimate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove an oak tree in Sacramento County?
Yes, if the property is in unincorporated Sacramento County and the tree is a valley oak, interior live oak, blue oak, or oracle oak with at least one trunk 6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet, or a multi-trunk oak with 10 inches or more of combined diameter. You need the approved permit before the work starts.
Do I need a permit to prune an oak in Sacramento County?
Yes. The county says a tree permit is required to remove or prune any public tree and certain private trees, and that includes protected native oaks. Pruning a protected oak without a permit is treated the same way as removing one without a permit.
How big does an oak have to be to be protected in Sacramento County?
A native oak is protected when at least one trunk measures 6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground. A multi-trunk oak is protected when the trunks add up to 10 inches or more in diameter at that height.
How much is a Sacramento County tree permit, and how long does it take?
The county tree permit fee is $31.95, due when the approved permit is released. The county says review typically takes less than 10 working days. If you want us to file the application for you, our $150 filing service is separate from the county fee.
Do I need a permit to remove a dead oak?
Yes. A dead native oak that meets the species and size rules still needs a county permit. The tree being dead is a good reason for the county to approve the permit, but it does not remove the need to apply.
Who is allowed to do the pruning on a permitted oak?
For branches, limbs, or roots over 2 inches in diameter on a permitted tree, the county requires the work to be done by ISA Certified Arborists or ISA Certified Tree Workers. Every estimate is done by an ISA Certified Arborist, and when county rules call for certified work, we have ISA Certified Arborists for it.
Is Carmichael, Fair Oaks, or Orangevale under county rules?
Yes. Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale, and Antelope are unincorporated communities, so Sacramento County tree rules apply there. If you are not sure about your parcel, check it on the county online map before you plan any work.