Tree removal in Riverbank: the local rules

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

What Riverbank's code says

Riverbank code What Riverbank's code adds
Exemptions	Removable if dead, irreversibly declining, falling, endangering structures, blocking utilities or sight lines, or a health hazard; Director verifies. Applies: Landmark or oak trees; no conservation permit and no replacement are needed. § 156.11 · code text Such trees may be removed only after the Community Development Director, at his or her sole and absolute discretion, has verified that such a condition exists. The tree rules do not stop an owner from creating a single, regularly shaped rear yard lawn. Applies: Applies to owners of improved residential property in the city. § 156.11 · code text Neither this nor any other regulation of this chapter shall be deemed to prohibit any owner of improved residential property in the city from creating a single, regularly shaped rear yard lawn area. No permit fee and no tree survey are required. Applies: Only when the Community Development Department needs no additional services or inspections for the listed exempt trees. § 156.11 · code text In instances where no additional services or inspections are required by the Community Development Department, the fee for a tree removal permit will be waived and no tree survey will be required.
Permit to remove	Yes, a minor tree conservation permit from the Community Development Director; the first removal permit fee is up to $50. Applies: Removing an oak or landmark tree on private or public property along with a ministerial action, like a building permit. § 156.12 · code text Any person desiring to destroy or remove an oak tree or landmark tree on private or public property, in conjunction with a ministerial action, such as an encroachment or building permit, must first obtain a minor tree conservation permit by applying in writing to the Community Development Director. Yes, a major tree conservation permit with a tree survey. Applies: When a site plan review, planned development, parcel or subdivision map or other discretionary approval will physically change the environment. § 156.12 · code text Except as provided elsewhere in this section, a major tree conservation permit shall be required as part of any application for a site plan and architectural review, planned development permit, tentative parcel map, tentative subdivision map or any other discretionary land use entitlement that will result in a physical change in the environment. No permit is required. Applies: Only for a landmark or oak tree removed for good forestry practice or under a city-approved landscape management plan. § 156.11 · code text A landmark/oak tree may be removed under the following conditions without a conservation permit:
Replacement trees	Replace with a species the Director finds acceptable. Applies: Applies to any tree that is removed. § 156.17 · code text Any tree that is removed shall be replaced with trees that are a species deemed acceptable to the Community Development Director. At least 75% of the replacement DBH inches must be deciduous trees. Applies: Applies when a deciduous tree is removed. § 156.17 · code text If a deciduous tree is to be removed, then at least 75% of the DBH inches to be replaced must be with deciduous trees. Replace caliper inch for caliper inch; no replacement tree may be under 2-1/2 inches DBH. Applies: Removal of any 6-inch tree or 6-inch group of landmark or oak trees, unless the rules say otherwise. § 156.17 · code text Unless otherwise stated in these rules, the removal of any six-inch tree or six-inch grouping of landmark/oak trees must be replaced on a caliper-inch-per-caliper-inch basis. Replace with oak trees totaling 40% of the removed tree's DBH inches. Applies: Applies when a 6-inch DBH tree that is not a landmark or oak tree is removed. § 156.17 · code text Any six-inch DBH tree that is not a landmark/oak tree must be replaced with oak trees, the total DBH of which is equal to 40% of the total DBH inches removed. No replacement is required. Applies: Only when removal is needed for good forestry practice or follows a city-approved landscape management plan. § 156.11 · code text No replacement is required under these circumstances. No replacement is required. Applies: Tree is dead or irreversibly declining, may fall, endangers structures, interferes with utilities, blocks safe vision, or is a health hazard. § 156.11 · code text No replacement is required under these circumstances. Replace on the same property, inch for inch. Applies: When the Director finds that replacing a poor-quality or badly placed tree will increase tree benefits. § 156.11 · code text Such trees must be replaced on the subject property, on an inch-per-inch basis.

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

Riverbank's code: Yes, a minor tree conservation permit from the Community Development Director; the first removal permit fee is up to $50. (Removing an oak or landmark tree on private or public property along with a ministerial action, like a building permit.) (§ 156.12); Replace with a species the Director finds acceptable. (Applies to any tree that is removed.) (§ 156.17).

Tree removal in Riverbank

What Riverbank's code says

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