If you live in the Sacramento area and need to remove a tree, one of the first questions you'll run into is whether you need a permit. The answer depends on where your property sits: inside a city limit, or in unincorporated Sacramento County.
This guide covers Sacramento County's rules for unincorporated areas — communities like Carmichael, Orangevale, Antelope, and Fair Oaks that are governed by the county rather than a city. If you live within city limits — Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, or Citrus Heights proper — those cities have their own separate permit processes.
What Is Unincorporated Sacramento County?
Unincorporated areas fall within Sacramento County but are not governed by a city. Residents pay county taxes and follow county codes. Common unincorporated areas in our service region include: Carmichael, Orangevale, Antelope, Fair Oaks, and North Highlands.
If you're unsure whether your property is incorporated or unincorporated, you can check through the Sacramento County parcel viewer or call the county planning department.
Which Trees Are Protected in Sacramento County?
Sacramento County's tree ordinance protects native oak trees. Specifically, the four protected species are:
- Valley oak (Quercus lobata)
- Blue oak (Quercus douglasii)
- Interior live oak (Quercus wislizeni)
- Oracle oak (Quercus × morehus)
Other oak species are not protected under the county ordinance.
Under Sacramento County's definition, a "tree" subject to permit requirements is any native oak from the list above that measures 6 inches or more in diameter. There is no secondary size threshold — if it's one of these four species at 6 inches diameter or larger, it's protected.
Heritage trees are also protected separately. These are specifically designated trees — typically among the oldest or most significant native oaks in the county. If your property has a heritage-designated tree, that designation will be on record with the county.
Does My Tree Need a Permit to Remove?
If your tree is one of the four protected native oak species at 6 inches diameter or greater, yes — you need a permit before removal.
Trees that are not on the protected species list — non-native trees, ornamental trees, most pines, cedars, ashes, and other common landscape trees — generally do not require a county permit for removal on private property.
If you're unsure what species your tree is, we can help identify it during a free estimate.
What About Dead or Hazardous Oaks?
This is one of the most common misconceptions we hear: "My oak is dead, so I don't need a permit."
That's not how it works in Sacramento County.
If an oak meets the protected species and size criteria, it still requires a permit even if it is dead, diseased, or structurally compromised. Being dead is a valid reason the permit may be approved — but it doesn't eliminate the requirement to apply.
The same applies to hazardous trees. A protected oak that is leaning, rotting, or poses a risk to your home still requires you to go through the permit process first.
The one true exception is an imminent hazard — an immediate, documented threat to life or property. In that case, removal can happen first, but you must file the permit application within 7 days of removal and provide photographic documentation of the hazardous condition. This is an after-the-fact filing, not a way to skip the process entirely. Document everything with photos before any work begins.
How Much Does It Cost?
As of July 1, 2025, Sacramento County's tree removal permit fee is $31.95.
You can apply online through Sacramento County's permitting portal at ACTOnline or visit the Planning and Environmental Review department in person. More information is available at the Sacramento County tree permits page.
What Happens If You Skip the Permit?
Removing a protected oak without a permit can result in fines and may require you to plant replacement trees at your own expense. Unpermitted removal can also create complications when selling your home — especially for large oaks on prominent areas of the property.
The permit process is straightforward and costs under $35. It's worth doing correctly.
TreeMax Handles This Every Day
Permit requirements are one of the first things we walk through with homeowners before any oak removal in unincorporated Sacramento County. We know which trees are protected, we know the local process, and we'll give you a straight answer before anything gets cut.
If you have an oak you're concerned about — whether it's showing decay, structural problems, or just needs to come down — start with a free estimate.