# Street Tree Planting Permit

> Request a street tree from San Francisco Public Works, Bureau of Urban Forestry (City) for San Francisco, CA, United States.

Official page: https://www.sfpublicworks.org/plant-street-tree
Source: https://treerm.org/residents/programs/sf-public-works-street-tree-planting-permit · Updated 2026-11-08 · Status: Open

**What you get:** No-fee permit to plant a street tree in the sidewalk in front of your property; the City takes over maintenance after 3 years

San Francisco Public Works issues free permits to plant a tree in the public sidewalk in front of a property. A Public Works inspector checks the proposed location and species, you plant a tree of at least 15-gallon size and maintain it for three years, and after a follow-up inspection the Department assumes maintenance. The page says Friends of the Urban Forest, a nonprofit neighborhood tree planting organization, may be able to handle the entire permit and planting process for you.

## Who qualifies

Anyone with a sidewalk planting site in San Francisco; the page refers to the property owner for utility checks and tree replacement and does not address renters. Trees must come from at least a 15-gallon container (24-inch box for construction-required trees) and meet minimum distances from signals, meters, hydrants, sewer lines and similar features. Species must be from the approved street tree list.

## How to apply

Submit a Tree Planting Permit online (bsm.sfdpw.org/buftrees2/application.aspx) or download the FY 25-26 PDF form and send it by fax or mail, naming the number and species of trees. Call Underground Service Alert at 800-227-2600 before digging. After planting, schedule an Urban Forestry inspection. Questions: 628-652-TREE (8733) or urbanforestrypermits@sfdpw.org.

**For:** Homeowners, Renters, Businesses

> Note: If a tree dies within the three-year maintenance period it must be replaced at the property owner's expense. Separately, under the voter-approved StreetTreeSF program Public Works and its grantee partner Friends of the Urban Forest also plant trees citywide at sites they select; property owners get a courtesy notice and can email UrbanForestry@sfdpw.org to pick a species from the available inventory.

Delivered with Friends of the Urban Forest: https://treerm.org/org/friends-of-the-urban-forest.md