Tree Removal Laws for Your Property
Sonoma County & California Laws
By Vesta Copestakes, Co-written with Jeff Rebischung of Fine Tree Care*
* This is, in essence, part 2 of the article we ran in the November edition People Power Stops Timber Harvest about the Hacienda neighborhood in Forestville. When I researched that story, I asked Jeff Rebischung (a Gazette advertiser) about the laws on small timber harvests, since he is a Licensed Timber Operator. In talking with Kimberly Sone, the CalFire Division Chief who is responsible for inspecting those jobs (and subsequently stopped them when violations occurred), she told me that Fine Tree Care is regarded as an authority on this subject. Jeff wrote a very detailed version of this article, filled with laws and legal language, which I translated.
Can I cut down trees on my own property?
Itās YOUR land..right? Therefore you can do anything you want because you own it and are responsible for it.
That may seem logical, but itās simply not the case, especially if you are part of a watershed, or your property is along a creek or river. What you do with your land has impacts far beyond your parcel boundaries, so you have to live within the laws.
What laws?
If you are trimming trees, thatās one thing, but if you are removing themā¦Forest Practice Laws come into play. You may think that Timber Harvest Plans only apply to people taking out lots of trees on acres of land, but thatās not the case. Homeowners removing trees to eliminate fire hazards, or because trees are too close to the house, also have to comply with these laws.
A simple and useful approach is to make a few calls yourself. A quick chat with Cal-Fire, Fish and Game, the County, (and NOAA Fisheries if you are near a watercourse that might contain salmon) will give you an idea of what can and cannot be done before you get too deep into the project.
Fortunately, Cal-Fire Forestry Inspectors can provide consultation prior to starting the project. They will let you know what to do ā and more importantly, what NOT to do. When in doubt about the rules, request a determination by the agency responsible for oversight.
So how do I know if I need a permit?
This service should be part of work provided by the tree company you hire, so make sure they are a Licensed Timber Operator (LTO) before you take the next step. That license lets you know the tree service is more than a pruning companyā¦they have the experience, expertise and credentials to do the job. Ask if they have a Registered Professional Forester, on staff or independently, to review your plan PRIOR to the beginning of harvest, to make sure it is legally and environmentally sound.
For homeowners, a Cal-Fire Timber Harvest Exemption Notice does not require detailed review before starting the job, and relies heavily on the expertise of the Timber Operator. In many ways, CalFire assumes that since you have an expert in the field (LTO), that expert knows what s/heās doing.
But Iām just cutting a few trees!
āExemption Noticesā such as a Fire Hazard Exemption, (cutting trees close to a house to protect it from fire) have strict rules around the number of trees that may be harvested on a small piece of land. For an example, a clear-cut is not allowed. There is even additional required work to the tree harvesting itself. Sometimes, the county rules conflict with other rules, or run against property boundaries, or erosion issues.
A fire hazard exemption requires treating the surrounding vegetation to the county standard in order to qualify for that fire hazard exemption. You may not be able to merely harvest trees, and then consider the work finished. You are requires to address other fire hazards, such as bushes, branches, debris, etc. on the property near structures.
Who is legally responsible ā me or my tree service?
The LTO is required to know all applicable laws and rules related to conducting timber operations, assist the landowner with forms, inspection and filing, BUT itās the landowner who is liable and responsible. You hired the professionalā¦you are responsible. Like so many other laws, ignorance is no excuse.
As plainly stated on an āExemption Noticeā, the Forest Practice Rules are critical for the landowner to fully understand PRIOR to harvest, because the landowner directly incurs liability.
Since a private property tree removal exemption requires no professional oversight, this can easily spell disaster, and get very, very expensive. Environmental damage, loss of neighborhood aesthetic, and property values can result in angry neighbors as well as expensive fines.
Why all these rules?
Rules are created because people do things that create havoc for the environment when they harvest trees. There are also plenty of people who would do whatever they want without concern for neighbors, trees, wildlife, etc. Rules and laws have a lot in commonā¦you break the rulesā¦ you pay legal consequences. Itās not just the environment that suffers.