Tree Removal in Cotati, CA

Tree Removal in Cotati requires a permit for almost any tree of real size. Under Cotati Municipal Code 17.54.080, a permit is needed to remove any tree 12 inches or more in circumference, measured 4.5 feet above the ground. That is circumference, not diameter: a trunk under four inches across already qualifies. Native black, live and valley oaks are held to a higher bar still; their removal can only be authorized by the City Council.

What the city looks for

An application needs at least one qualifying reason: an imminent hazard, a dead or irreparably damaged tree, severe root damage, undue hardship (routine maintenance does not count), good arboricultural practice, an undesirable species, or a city-approved construction project. The application packet includes the form and fee, photos of the tree plus an aerial view, an HOA authorization letter if you have an HOA, proof of damage where relevant, and an ISA Certified Arborist report when the city asks for one.

The calendar matters

Two time rules catch people off guard. First, removal of a tree 50 feet or taller is barred between April 15 and June 15 to protect nesting birds. Second, approved permits must be posted on the property for at least 10 days before work, unless there is an imminent threat, so neighbors have a chance to appeal. Work must start within six months of approval or the permit expires. Put those together and a tall tree you want gone in early summer may need to be scheduled for late June or later. Planning in winter avoids that squeeze.

Replacement within 60 days

Every permit comes with a replacement requirement. New trees must be planted on site, or an in-lieu fee paid, within 60 days of removal, with the number and type set by the city's tree ordinance. If you are replanting, it helps to pick the spot before the old tree comes out, so the stump can be ground and the planting hole prepared in one visit.

Who hauls the debris

Recology Sonoma Marin is the franchised hauler in Cotati. Curbside green carts take normal yard trimmings, but a permitted removal leaves far more than a cart can hold, so our estimates list chipping and hauling as separate lines. Some Cotati owners keep the chips to mulch the new replacement tree the city requires, which is good for the young tree's roots and saves a hauling charge. Let us know your preference before the work day so the crew plans the right truck and trailer.

Small city, layered streets

Cotati covers just 1.88 square miles. Its downtown is laid out around a hexagonal plaza designed in the 1890s, one of only two hexagonal town layouts in the United States and California Historical Landmark No. 879. The whole city drains to the Laguna de Santa Rosa. Lots near the old center are small; newer subdivisions toward the edges are more regular. If a removal will affect traffic, the city also requires an encroachment permit.

Call (707) 385-5238 to schedule a look. We will tell you whether the tree likely needs a permit and what documentation would help. Get a free estimate