Committee adopts amendments to Public Works code on street‑tree removal, raises penalties and mandates replacements

The Land Use & Transportation Committee on Dec. 6 adopted amendments to a Public Works code ordinance that changes how hazardous‑street‑tree removals are handled and increases administrative penalties for illegal tree removals.

Supervisor Safai introduced the bill and described amendments after meetings with advocates and the Board of Appeals. She said the updated language preserves public participation for hazard trees while removing a problematic appeals route for certain hazard determinations and requires the Department of Public Works to "replace street trees removed by the department in the same location within 120 days of removal." Safai outlined additional changes: requiring an arborist estimate in tree protection plans, clarifying notice timing, and revising maximum administrative penalties to the tree’s replacement value or $10,000 for a first violation and $20,000 or double the replacement value for repeat violations.

During public comment, advocates from Sierra Club, Friends of the Urban Forest, neighborhood residents and others urged that the ordinance also cover illegal removals tied to city contractors and that penalties, bonds or liens be available and effective. Speakers raised equity concerns (neighborhoods with low canopy), protection for healthy backyard trees and the need for stronger enforcement powers for the Bureau of Urban Forestry.

Supervisor Safai responded that the legislation already includes the city’s obligation to replace trees removed by city work and that liens can be issued for unpaid penalties; she also emphasized the need to retain an emergency‑removal authority for clearly hazardous trees. After public comment, Supervisor Peskin moved the amendments; the clerk recorded roll calls with Peskin, Preston and Melgar voting "aye," and Chair Melgar announced the motions passed.

The committee’s action forwards the amended ordinance to the Board of Supervisors as a committee report and continues any further required process per the clerk’s calendar.