North Bay Tree Ordinance Reference

• All native oaks (Quercus spp.) ≥ 10" DBH
• Bay laurel (Umbellularia californica) ≥ 10" DBH
• Madrone (Arbutus menziesii) ≥ 10" DBH
• All trees ≥ 24" DBH regardless of species on unincorporated parcels

• Removal of any protected tree
• Pruning > 25% of live canopy
• Grading or construction within the dripline of a protected tree
• Any work within 15 ft. of a Heritage Tree

Required for all permit applications. Must be prepared by an ISA Certified Arborist. Report must include tree inventory, health assessment, and tree protection plan for construction-adjacent work.

Replacement ratio 2:1 (inch-for-inch) for removed trees. In-lieu fees accepted when on-site planting is infeasible. Heritage Trees require County Planning Commission approval.

Up to $5,000 per tree. Willful violations may require triple replacement planting. Stop-work orders issued on active construction violations.

• Heritage trees: ≥ 24" DBH (all species)
• Native oaks ≥ 6" DBH in LandPath or Riparian Corridor overlay zones
• Valley oak (Quercus lobata) — any size in oak woodland stands

• Removal of any Heritage Tree
• Removal of native oaks in sensitive overlay zones
• Land development projects requiring grading permits
• Subdivisions affecting protected trees

Required for Heritage Tree removals and construction-impact assessments. ISA Certification required. Must address health, hazard rating, and alternatives to removal.

Replacement required at County discretion, typically 2:1 to 3:1. Mitigation bank credits available through County program. Valley oak removal triggers habitat conservation review.

Civil penalties up to $10,000 per tree. Criminal misdemeanor for willful unauthorized removal. Mandatory revegetation plan required before permit reinstatement.

• All oak species ≥ 5" DBH within Oak Woodland Combining District
• Riparian trees ≥ 6" DBH within 100 ft. of streams (all species)
• Valley oak (Quercus lobata) — any DBH in agricultural zones

• Removal or encroachment in Oak Woodland Combining District
• Grading within 100 ft. of a mapped stream
• Vineyard conversion affecting oaks or riparian trees
• Any disturbance to trees in General Plan Natural Resource Areas

Biological Resource Evaluation with arborist component required for discretionary permits. ISA Certified Arborist required. Must include oak woodland stand assessment.

3:1 replacement for valley oak; 2:1 for other oaks. In-lieu fees accepted at $500–$1,500 per inch DBH removed. Riparian mitigation may require Army Corps 404 coordination.

Administrative fines per Napa County Code § 1.36. Project conditions may be revoked. County can require full site restoration at applicant's expense.

• Heritage Trees: ≥ 24" DBH or historically/culturally designated
• Landmark Trees: designated by City Council resolution
• Native oaks ≥ 10" DBH citywide

• Removal of any Heritage or Landmark Tree
• Removal of native oaks ≥ 10" DBH
• Construction within dripline of a Heritage Tree
• Development permits affecting designated trees

ISA Certified Arborist report required. Must include Tree Protection Plan (TPP) for any construction within dripline. TRAQ methodology required for hazard trees.

Replacement at 2:1 caliper inches within 6 months. In-lieu fee option. Heritage Tree removal requires City Council approval following public hearing.

$1,000–$25,000 per tree. Criminal misdemeanor. City may require restoration planting bond posted prior to construction.

• Protected Trees: ≥ 12" DBH (all species)
• Heritage Trees: ≥ 24" DBH or as designated
• All native oaks regardless of DBH within Riparian Corridor Overlay

• Removal of any Protected Tree (≥ 12" DBH)
• Pruning > 30% of canopy in one calendar year
• Construction encroachment within Tree Protection Zone (TPZ)
• Subdivision or site plan approval involving protected trees

Required for Protected Tree removal or TPZ encroachment. ISA Certified Arborist. Report to include ISA BMP compliance, health/structure assessment, and alternatives analysis.

2:1 replacement; street tree replacements may be required at 1:1 minimum. Heritage Tree removal requires Planning Commission review.

Fines up to $5,000 per violation. City Council may impose deed restrictions requiring tree replacement as a condition of future development.

• All trees ≥ 12" DBH in single-family residential zones
• All trees ≥ 6" DBH in multi-family, commercial, and public zones
• Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) — any DBH citywide

• Removal of any Protected Tree
• Any pruning exceeding ISA BMP guidelines
• Construction within 10 ft. of a Protected Tree
• Any grading within root zone of Protected Trees

ISA Certified Arborist report required. Shall include tree inventory, condition rating, and site-specific Tree Protection Plan. TRAQ risk assessment required for hazard tree claims.

2:1 replacement on-site. If infeasible, in-lieu fees at City-established rates. Mature street trees may require 3:1 replacement.

Administrative penalties up to $10,000 per tree. Public Works Director may require restoration bond. Criminal prosecution possible for willful violations.

• Significant Trees: ≥ 10" DBH (all species)
• Heritage Trees: ≥ 24" DBH or officially designated
• All native oaks ≥ 6" DBH citywide

• Removal of any Significant Tree
• Construction within the dripline of a Heritage Tree
• Grading permits affecting protected trees
• Design Review applications for properties with Significant Trees

Required for Significant Tree removal and discretionary permit applications. ISA Certified Arborist. Must include health/structural assessment, hazard rating if applicable, and mitigation recommendations.

2:1 replacement caliper-for-caliper. Heritage Trees require City Council approval. Mitigation fees accepted per City fee schedule when on-site planting infeasible.

Civil fines up to $5,000 per tree. Planning Commission may require tree replanting as deed condition. Repeat violations subject to enhanced penalties.

• Protected Trees: ≥ 6" DBH (all species) within city limits
• Heritage Trees: ≥ 18" DBH or historically designated
• Valley oak — any size within City boundaries

• Removal of any Protected Tree
• Root zone disturbance within 15 ft. of a Heritage Tree
• Subdivision, design review, or use permit on parcels with Protected Trees
• Any pruning of Heritage Trees by non-licensed personnel

ISA Certified Arborist required. Report must assess health, structure, and risk level per ISA BMP. For Heritage Trees, a separate Tree Protection Plan must accompany building permits.

2:1 to 3:1 replacement depending on species and size. Valley oak removal triggers additional habitat review. In-lieu fees at $300/caliper inch removed.

Fines up to $10,000 per tree. City may rescind permits. Willful violations reported to District Attorney for misdemeanor prosecution.

• Heritage Trees: ≥ 18" DBH or designated by the City
• Native oaks ≥ 6" DBH citywide
• All street trees in the public right-of-way

• Removal of Heritage Trees or native oaks
• Any work within the critical root zone of a Heritage Tree
• Grading or excavation within 20 ft. of a designated tree
• New construction on infill lots with protected trees

Certified Arborist report required. Heritage Tree removal requires TRAQ assessment. Report must include a construction impact analysis and tree protection plan for any permits involving grading.

Replacement at 2:1 on-site. Heritage Tree removals reviewed by Planning Commission with mandatory public notice. In-lieu fees at established rates for infeasible replacements.

Fines up to $5,000 per tree per day of continuing violation. City may withhold Certificate of Occupancy pending compliance.

• Protected Trees: ≥ 10" DBH in residential zones; ≥ 6" DBH in commercial zones
• Heritage Trees: officially designated by City Council
• All native oaks (Quercus spp.) citywide regardless of DBH

• Removal of any Protected Tree
• Construction or grading within dripline of a Heritage Tree
• Design review or building permits on sites with Protected Trees
• Street tree removals within public right-of-way

ISA Certified Arborist report required for permit applications. Must include species, DBH, health/structural assessment, and Tree Protection Plan. TRAQ methodology required for hazard determinations.

2:1 replacement on-site. Heritage Tree removal requires City Council resolution. In-lieu fund option for projects where on-site planting is infeasible.

Civil fines up to $5,000 per violation. City may require remediation bonding. Criminal charges for willful or repeat violations.