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Folsom homeowners say protected oak forces insurers to deny coverage; city staff to follow up
Summary
Residents told the council their large, protected blue oak threatens their homeowner insurance eligibility under a state 'zone 0' clearance policy. The council asked the interim city manager to contact the homeowners and staff to follow up on options.
Brenda and Dan McNeil told the Folsom City Council on Jan. 14 that their homeowner’s insurers have declined to renew coverage because a large protected blue oak trunk sits close to their house and exceeds a state‑described five‑foot “zone 0” clearance that insurers increasingly expect.
Why it matters: If a homeowner cannot secure insurance because a locally protected tree sits within the insurer’s required 5‑foot clearance, the homeowner risks mortgage noncompliance and potential loss of coverage. The McNeils asked the council for assistance in navigating permit, removal and insurance options.
What the speakers said
Brenda McNeil said she contacted multiple insurers (USAA, Lemonade, State Farm, AAA, Travelers, Progressive, Farmers and the California Fair Plan) and reported non‑renewal or denial because of the tree. She said state policy she described as a “zone 0” five‑foot clearance could require removal or replacement of combustible materials within five feet of the house when the governor implements the regulation. She said the tree is a 43‑inch trunk; removing it without a permit would cost an estimated $500 per inch under local rules, which she calculated as $21,500.
Council response and staff follow‑up
Mayor Aquino asked Interim City Manager Dan Haverty to contact the McNeils the following day. Haverty confirmed staff would follow up. The council did not make any regulatory changes at the meeting; members reiterated constraints on city authority regarding state rules and tree‑protection ordinances.
What is not resolved
• The transcript records the residents’ description of a state policy they called “zone 0” and their insurer responses; the meeting did not include a citation to a specific state statute or implementing regulation. • The McNeils’ specific estimates of denial and the $21,500 removal figure were provided by the resident; the council asked staff to follow up with permitting and insurance pathways rather than making any immediate policy change.
Next steps
Interim City Manager Dan Haverty will contact the homeowners and coordinate city staff follow‑up on permits, potential mitigation options and other available assistance. The council did not adopt any new code or ordinance at the meeting.
