Is it legal to cut down a tree on your own property in California?

Only if your city's ordinance allows it - and in San Mateo County the rules vary more than almost anywhere in the state. The trunk diameter at which a tree becomes protected on private property: Daly City: no citywide protected-tree ordinance for private trees - generally no permit San Bruno: native species protected at 6 inches, everything else at 10 - the strictest in the county Millbrae: any species at 10 inches Menlo Park: native oaks at 10 inches, other species at 15 San Carlos: natives at 9 inches, any species at 11 Redwood City, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay: roughly 12 inches Burlingame: about 14 inches; Palo Alto: 11.5 to 15 by species; Hillsborough: 18; Atherton: about 15 for oaks Penalties for unpermitted removal run from hundreds of dollars per tree to $5,000 or full appraised value - Burlingame's in-lieu payment exceeds $22,000. For genuinely hazardous trees most cities have an emergency removal path, but it must be documented correctly. Before any removal we confirm your city's current rules and file whatever the job requires - that step is included in our service, not an extra.

Only if your city’s ordinance allows it – and in San Mateo County the rules vary more than almost anywhere in the state. The trunk diameter at which a tree becomes protected on private property:

Daly City: no citywide protected-tree ordinance for private trees – generally no permit
San Bruno: native species protected at 6 inches, everything else at 10 – the strictest in the county
Millbrae: any species at 10 inches
Menlo Park: native oaks at 10 inches, other species at 15
San Carlos: natives at 9 inches, any species at 11
Redwood City, Pacifica, Half Moon Bay: roughly 12 inches
Burlingame: about 14 inches; Palo Alto: 11.5 to 15 by species; Hillsborough: 18; Atherton: about 15 for oaks

Penalties for unpermitted removal run from hundreds of dollars per tree to $5,000 or full appraised value – Burlingame’s in-lieu payment exceeds $22,000. For genuinely hazardous trees most cities have an emergency removal path, but it must be documented correctly. Before any removal we confirm your city’s current rules and file whatever the job requires – that step is included in our service, not an extra.