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Board hears Bureau of Urban Forestry on illegal‑removal fines and asks staff for options; item continued to Dec. 16
Summary
San Francisco Public Works’ Bureau of Urban Forestry summarized legal authority and penalty practices for illegal tree removal (Public Works Code article 16, incl. §8.11); commissioners pressed the bureau on whether fines are sufficiently deterrent and asked for follow-up on bonding and proposed code amendments. The board continued the matter to Dec. 16 for BUF/DPW recommendations.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on Sept. 2 heard a detailed briefing from the Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF) and Department of Public Works on penalties and remedies for illegal tree removal. BUF staff outlined the legal authority and common penalties, and commissioners and members of the public urged stronger deterrents for contractors and developers who remove trees without permits.
BUF’s Chris Buck explained the ordinance framework (Public Works Code Article 16) and §8.11 remedies, including criminal charges, civil penalties and administrative penalties. He said the bureau’s administrative practice is to assess either the appraised value of the tree (when appraisal data exist) or a standard in‑lieu fee; the…
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