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Supervisors pause steep street-tree removal fee increases after homeowner-equity concerns
Summary
After heated questioning and public comment, the Budget & Finance Committee continued an ordinance that would sharply raise street-tree removal permit fees, asking the Department of Public Works to revisit the 1–3 tree category and equity impacts before the item returns on Monday.
The committee continued debate and voted to continue consideration of a proposed ordinance that would raise street-tree removal fees following extensive questioning about fairness and impacts on homeowners.
Douglas Legg of the Department of Public Works told supervisors the fee increases are intended to achieve cost recovery for permitting, inspection, public notice and appeal processes required by the urban forestry ordinance. DPW said it maintains about 40,000 street trees and that prior fee levels under-recovered the department's costs.
Supervisors repeatedly pressed the department over the magnitude and distributional effects of proposed increases, particularly in the 1'to'3-tree category. Supervisor Carmen Chu said she was "not feeling very comfortable with the rate of increase" for small-property owners, noting the $607 permit for 1'to'3 trees would be a steep jump from the prior level. Supervisor David Campos suggested any large increase be phased in and asked whether there had been public input; Legg said there had not and offered to work with supervisors on adjustments.
Several members of the public testified: some opposed the increases, saying steep fees would encourage illegal removals; others supported stronger financial disincentives to discourage unnecessary tree removal. After public comment, Supervisor Chu moved to continue the item to Monday so staff and supervisors can craft an equitable approach for the 1'to'3 tree category; the motion was seconded and taken without objection.
Next steps: DPW will work with supervisors on adjusted fee proposals for the 1'to'3 tree permit tier, including consideration of phased increases or exemptions for clear public-safety removals. The committee will revisit the ordinance on Monday.
