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Important Policies

A lush, healthy forest and a beautiful healthy Lake are part of what make Tahoe a special place. Trees need to be thinned from the forest to keep it healthy, but thinning trees the wrong way can threaten our delicately balanced ecosystem. Even though you may need a permit to remove certain trees, the environmental and fire protection agencies have made sure the rules don’t stand in the way of creating defensible space and removing hazardous trees. Occasionally there are updates to the rules and where to get permits. Please review the chart below for the current rules and permit information.

In general, 14 inches diameter is the only number you need to know. If your home is on the shoreline of Lake Tahoe or in a stream environment zone, special rules apply and you should contact a forester at the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) for advice.

No Permit Required With Permit from Fire Dept. With Permit from TRPA
Dead Tree (no green) No permit needed unless in sensitive areas if greater than 24” diameter in Eastside forest; or 30” in Westside forest. Dead Trees form important wildlife habitat in conservation/ recreation areas and in stream meadow and shoreline areas  
Shrubs/Brush No permit needed unless in stream meadow and shoreline areas  
Non-native/Ornamental No permit needed unless in stream meadow and shoreline areas  
Less than 14” diameter at chest height * 14” or greater for defensible space 14” or greater if not for defensible space
Limb removal on lower 1/3 of tree No permit needed  
Limb removal 10’ around chimney and 15’ around driveways No permit needed unless extensive limb removal for special circumstances  

* Tree diameter is measured 4.5 feet above ground, from the uphill side of the tree.

 
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