About the Project
The Department has prepared an update to the County’s Tree Removal Regulations to improve management of individual trees and tree canopy in the County, and to improve the tree removal and trimming permit process, consistent with the County’s General Plan. The draft ordinance was made available for review and comment on June 23, 2024. The Department made presentations to the Planning Commission (July 10), the Midcoast Community Council (July 24), and the North Fair Oaks Community Council (July 25). The County received extensive public comments between June 23 and August 23, 2024. Below is a summary of the County’s responses, and you can view a PDF of the full list of comments. The Department will present the updated draft of the Protected Tree Ordinance to the Planning Commission on September 11, 2024, for their recommendation to the Board of Supervisors.
The updated draft can be accessed here – Planning Commission Tree Ordinance Update Staff Report
A companion guidance website (SanMateoCountyTrees.org) has also been launched to provide more information to the County’s residents about the value of trees, and outline the permit process steps, among other useful information.
Interim Significant & Heritage Tree Regulations Amendments
On November 18, 2016 amendments to regulations regarding Significant and Heritage Trees went into effect, implementing tree protection requirements and increased penalties for unauthorized tree removal.
Contact
For questions or comments about this project, please contact Bharat Singh.
Meetings
November 28, 2018 | View Meeting Documents
September 26, 2018 | View Meeting Documents
April 30, 2018 | View Meeting Documents
July 28, 2018 | Summary of Major Findings
May 25, 2017 | View Meeting Documents
March 23, 2017 | View Meeting Documents
January 26, 2017 | View Meeting Documents
November 17, 2016 | View Meeting Documents
September 29, 2016 | View Meeting Documents