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Last reviewed 2026-10-19

Tree Removal Cost: Contra Costa County, CA

In Contra Costa, the question is usually whether a coast live oak, valley oak or bay laurel is protected, and on hillsides from Alamo to El Sobrante the answer is often yes. The County's tree ordinance protects listed native trees of 20 inches circumference, about 6.5 inches across, when they grow in oak woodland, along a creek or in a stand of four. HomeGuide's 2026 national survey still gives a useful starting point of $400 to $1,200 for a typical removal.

Oak dominates the wild land. The Forest Service's 2024 FIA evaluation for California estimates about 60,600 acres of forest land in the county, 72.0% of it western oak and 16.0% tanoak/laurel.

Building has slowed: the Census Bureau's Building Permits Survey counts 970 single-family buildings authorized in the county in 2025, down from 1,251 in 2024 and 1,428 in 2023, so most work is on established lots in the Lamorinda and San Ramon Valley suburbs.

Cost at a glance

Contra Costa County tree removal cost at a glance
Item	Typical cost	Source
Typical single tree	$400-$1,200	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Oak	$300-$2,500	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Pine	$250-$1,600	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Stump removal	$100-$500+	HomeGuide, Feb 2026 (national)
Protected native tree (unincorporated)	20 in circumference and up	Contra Costa County Code 816-6.6004
Permit application lead time	At least 10 days	Contra Costa County Code 816-6.8002

Permits

Unincorporated areas (Alamo, Diablo, El Sobrante, Kensington, Bay Point, Discovery Bay and others) follow County Code Chapter 816-6. Under Section 816-6.6004, a protected tree includes any of 26 listed natives, among them coast live, valley, blue and black oaks, California bay, buckeye, sycamore and coast redwood, measuring 20 inches or more in circumference at 4.5 feet when it is part of a riparian, foothill woodland or oak savanna area or a stand of four or more trees. On undeveloped parcels, commercial property and land designated for open space, the code covers any tree of that size and multi-stem trees totaling 40 inches.

Section 816-6.8002 of the Contra Costa County Code says to apply for a tree permit at least 10 days before removing, topping or grading within the dripline of a protected tree. A draft update the County circulated for comment through June 30, 2025 would move to size-based rules; Contra Costa County's draft lists 28 inches circumference for most hardwoods and 48 inches for conifers. Until it's adopted, the current chapter applies.

Cities such as Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Danville and Concord have their own tree ordinances, often stricter than the County's, so call the city planning counter first if you're inside city limits.

Burning yard waste isn't an option: the Bay Area Air District's Regulation 5 bars it for homeowners. Plan on chipping on site or hauling to a green waste facility.

Note that HomeGuide's $300-$2,500 range for oak removal doesn't cover the permit, arborist report or replacement planting. Step 1: find out whether the parcel is in a city or unincorporated. Step 2: measure the trunk and identify the species. Step 3: file any permit ahead of the work. Step 4: get written bids that say who chips and hauls. Step 5: call 811 before grinding.

Local conditions

Steep, rocky hills: NRCS soil survey data for Contra Costa County (CA013) put 50.8% of mapped acres at 15% slope or more and find bedrock within about 39 inches (100 cm) on 37.7%, concentrated on the slopes around Mount Diablo and along the Berkeley Hills ridge, where oaks are often rigged down rather than felled.

Storms and slides: FEMA's declarations data list 14 weather-related major disasters for the county, including 7 floods, 6 severe storms and a coastal storm; the 2017 and 2023 winter storm declarations brought saturated hillsides, mudslides and toppled eucalyptus and oaks along the creeks.

Fire clearance: homes in designated hazard areas near the East Bay hills owe 100 feet of defensible space under California Public Resources Code Section 4291, which drives a lot of limbing and thinning work.

Heat in the east county around Brentwood and Antioch stresses street trees, while fog and wind off the bay shape trees in Richmond.

What drives local prices

Species: HomeGuide's species chart puts oak at $300-$2,500 and pine at $250-$1,600; tall eucalyptus price like the biggest hardwoods.
Height: eucalyptus and redwoods top 80 ft, a size HomeGuide puts at $1,200-$2,500 and up.
Slope: rigging oaks off a steep hillside lot takes more crew hours at HomeGuide's $100-$400+ hourly rate.
Permits: a protected native adds the County permit or a city permit, often with an arborist report and replacement trees.
Stump: HomeGuide's survey puts grinding at $100-$500+.
Method: species, height, hourly and stump dollars are HomeGuide's February 4, 2026 nationwide ranges rather than East Bay quotes; tree rules from Contra Costa County Code Chapter 816-6 and the County's update page; burning from the Bay Area Air District. Checked October 19, 2026.

Common jobs

Oak and bay removal under a County or city permit
Eucalyptus and pine removal
Defensible-space limbing and thinning
Storm and slide cleanup

Service area

We hear from Walnut Creek, Concord, San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Lafayette, Orinda, Martinez, Antioch, Brentwood, Pittsburg and Richmond. I-680 runs the San Ramon Valley, SR 24 links Orinda and Lafayette to Walnut Creek, SR 4 crosses the north shore to the delta, and I-80 serves the west county.

PG&E handles lines; don't let anyone but a qualified line-clearance crew near them.

For a price, use the free form below: say what the tree is, roughly how tall, and what's beneath it. You'll get an email back.

Communities: Walnut Creek, Concord, San Ramon, Danville, Alamo, Lafayette, Orinda, Martinez, Antioch, Brentwood

When something can’t wait

If a eucalyptus or oak comes down on a PG&E line, call PG&E or 911 and keep everyone back. HomeGuide says emergency work often costs 2 to 3 times standard rates; for a damaged protected tree, tell the County or your city as soon as it's safe.

Questions about Contra Costa County

How much does tree removal cost in Contra Costa County?

HomeGuide's 2026 national survey says $400 to $1,200 for a typical tree; protected oaks and steep lots cost more.

Which trees are protected in unincorporated areas?

Listed native trees of 20 inches circumference or more in woodland, riparian or oak savanna settings or in a stand of four, plus most trees that size on undeveloped parcels, per County Code 816-6.6004.

How far ahead do I apply?

At least 10 days before the work, per Contra Costa County Code Section 816-6.8002.

Is the County changing its tree rules?

A draft update was circulated in 2025; until it's adopted, Chapter 816-6 as written applies.

Can I burn the branches?

No. The Bay Area Air District's Regulation 5 doesn't allow residential yard waste burning.

Sources

More Bay Area and California pages

Tree problems

Local fees and rules change. Confirm with the county or state office named above before you clear. For published price ranges, see land clearing cost per acre or follow the worked estimate. Estimate your clearing cost.