SERVICE

Check our street tree rules for your ADU

Your property must have 1 street tree per every 20 feet of frontage that borders the public right of way.

What to know

Plant new trees or pay tree in-lieu fee

You must plant new trees or pay an in-lieu fee of $2,193 per tree.

Credit for existing trees

We give you credit if you already have trees on your property frontage.

What to do

When you add an ADU, we require that your property have 1 street tree for every 20 feet of frontage that borders the Public-Right-of-Way

If you do not have 1 tree per every 20 feet, you must add a street tree or pay a $2,193 in-lieu fee, per tree, for every tree you do not plant.

Use our street tree checklist to check how many trees your property needs. Upload this checklist with your tree permit application.

You must show the existing and/or proposed street trees on your ADU plans. 

Start your tree planting permit application with Public Works.

A tree planting application must be submitted even if trees exist or if you choose to pay the tree in-lieu fees. The Bureau of Urban Forestry needs an application to track the project.

Examples

Lot with 30 feet of frontage

Our tree requirement for this lot is 2 trees. 30 feet per 1 tree per 20 feet is 1.5 trees. We round up to 2.

For this property, you must plant 2 trees or pay up to $4,386 in tree in-lieu fees.

Corner lot with 95 feet of frontage

Our tree requirement for this lot is 5 trees. 95 feet per 1 tree per 20 feet is 4.75 trees. We round up to 5.

For this property, you must plant 5 trees or pay up to $10,965 in tree in-lieu fees.

Get help

Email

Bureau of Urban Forestry

urbanforestry@sfdpw.org

Partner agencies