Service
Check our street tree rules for your ADU
Your property must have one street tree per every 20 feet of frontage that borders the public right of way.
Public WorksWhat to know
Plant new street trees or pay tree in-lieu fee
You must plant new trees or pay an in-lieu fee of $2,590 per tree.
Existing street trees
Street trees that already exist along the property's frontage may count toward the project requirement, under three conditions: 1. Public Works deems the tree worth protecting (health, risk and impact from project) 2. There is an approved tree protection plan for the project 3. The Tree Protection Plan is implemented and the tree is not damaged during the project.
Please note: Legislation is underway that will waive street tree requirements for ADU projects.
The legislation is anticipated to go into effect at the end of October, 2026.
Projects in the pipeline before the new legislation goes into effect will still be required to decide whether to plant trees or pay fee-in-lieu as part of your project requirements. Projects that enter the system after the legislation goes in to effect will not
We're sharing this so you can factor it in as you decide whether to plant trees or pay the in-lieu fee for your project requirements.
What to know
Plant new street trees or pay tree in-lieu fee
You must plant new trees or pay an in-lieu fee of $2,590 per tree.
Existing street trees
Street trees that already exist along the property's frontage may count toward the project requirement, under three conditions: 1. Public Works deems the tree worth protecting (health, risk and impact from project) 2. There is an approved tree protection plan for the project 3. The Tree Protection Plan is implemented and the tree is not damaged during the project.
Please note: Legislation is underway that will waive street tree requirements for ADU projects.
The legislation is anticipated to go into effect at the end of October, 2026.
Projects in the pipeline before the new legislation goes into effect will still be required to decide whether to plant trees or pay fee-in-lieu as part of your project requirements. Projects that enter the system after the legislation goes in to effect will not
We're sharing this so you can factor it in as you decide whether to plant trees or pay the in-lieu fee for your project requirements.
What to do
When you add an ADU, we require that your property has 1 street tree for every 20 feet of frontage that borders the public right of way
If you do not have 1 tree per every 20 feet, you must add a street tree or pay a $2,590 in-lieu fee, per tree, for every tree you do not plant.
Use our street tree checklist to check how many trees your property needs. Upload this checklist with your tree permit application.
You must show the existing and/or proposed street trees on your ADU plans.
Start your tree planting permit application with Public Works.
Examples
Lot with 30 feet of frontage
Our street tree requirement for this lot is 2 trees. 30 feet per 1 tree per 20 feet is 1.5 trees. We round up to 2.
For this property, you must plant 2 trees or pay up to $5,180 in tree in-lieu fees.
Corner lot with 95 feet of frontage
Our street tree requirement for this lot is 5 trees. 95 feet per 1 tree per 20 feet is 4.75 trees. We round up to 5.
For this property, you must plant 5 trees or pay up to $12,950 in tree in-lieu fees.
Related
Contact us
Phone
Bureau of Urban Forestry
urbanforestry@sfdpw.org