Tree removal in Fairfield: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Fairfield Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Fairfield's code says

Fairfield code What Fairfield's code adds
Permit to remove	Yes. You need a permit. Applies: Removing a protected tree outside a project reviewed by the department, commission or council, or outside the Public Tree Conservation Policy. § 25.36.5 · code text Any person proposing to remove a protected tree not as part of a project subject to review by the Department, the Commission, or the Council, or where such removal is not subject to the Public Tree Conservation Policy referenced in Section 25.36.8 shall make application to the Director of Community Development for a Tree Removal Permit.
Protected trees	All trees on public property. § 25.36.3 · code text All trees on public property. Trees on private property or in the public right of way that the City required as a project approval condition. Applies: Applies to trees required by the City as a condition of project approval. § 25.36.3 · code text Required by the City as a condition of approval for the project; Trees on private property or in the public right of way shown on a City-approved project landscape plan. Applies: Applies to trees shown on a City-approved project landscape drawing or plan. § 25.36.3 · code text Shown on a landscape drawing or plan for a project approved by the City. Native oaks, Bay Laurel, Madrone and Buckeye over 6 inches in caliper or diameter at breast height. Applies: Applies on undeveloped private properties. § 25.36.3 · code text The following species of trees located on undeveloped private properties which exceed 6 inches in caliper or diameter at breast height. Trees with proven habitat, historic or cultural value, important beauty, rarity, or unusual size or age. Applies: As the city decides during project review or through special studies. § 25.36.3 · code text Demonstrated habitat value.
Replacement trees	Case by case; inch-for-inch replacement encouraged: a 24-inch box counts 3 inches, 15-gallon 1 inch, 5-gallon ½ inch. Applies: Applies to approved protected tree removals; trunk measured at breast height (4½ feet). § 25.36.9 · code text It is the policy of the City to encourage the replacement of protected trees on an inch-for-inch basis.
Penalty	Replace 3 inches for every inch removed, plus any extra mitigation the Community Development Director requires. Applies: Applies to trees removed in violation of the tree ordinance. § 25.36.9 · code text Parties who remove a tree in violation of this Ordinance shall be subjected to a mitigation requirement of 3 (three) inches for every inch removed.

Who this affects

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Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Fairfield?

Fairfield's code: Yes. You need a permit. (Removing a protected tree outside a project reviewed by the department, commission or council, or outside the Public Tree Conservation Policy.) (§ 25.36.5); All trees on public property. (§ 25.36.3).

Tree removal in Fairfield

What Fairfield's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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