The rules that turn a weekend project into a fine
In Mountain View, the street tree in front of your house is yours to look after, and removing a heritage tree without a permit is a misdemeanor.
Last checked Oct 20, 2026 · Fees from the FY 2026–27 Master Fee Schedule
Trees
Heritage means 48 inches or more around, or any oak, redwood or cedar 12 inches or more around. Removing one without a permit is a misdemeanor; restitution is in replacement trees (24-inch box or larger) or in-lieu fees valued by arborist formula, and the city says penalties can reach tens of thousands of dollars.
| Tree permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| Heritage tree removal, first tree | $178 |
| Each additional tree | $61 |
| In-lieu replacement fee, per tree | $1,881 |
Street trees belong to you. You own the tree in front of your house and must water and care for it; the city prunes it. Free street trees are available on request.
Common permits
| Project | About |
|---|---|
| Water heater (same-day permit) | $96 |
| Furnace or AC | $77 + $19–24 per unit + 5% |
Water heater: $77 issuance + $14.20 per heater + 5% technology fee, under tables effective Aug 22, 2026. Inspections beyond the basics bill at $218 an hour. Unpermitted work must be disclosed when you sell.
Sewer lateral
You own and maintain the pipe from your house to the street; the city courtesy-cleans from the property-line cleanout to the main. A camera inspection with a city inspector is required before permits for an ADU or JADU over 600 sq ft, a new house, or remodels adding up to 600+ sq ft within 5 years. Repairs need a permit.
ADUs
- State law bans city impact fees on ADUs of 750 sq ft or less.
- ADUs built before Jan 1, 2020 can be legalized with no penalty fees and expedited review. The city's page says all existing code violations must be fixed; state law (AB 2533) only lets cities require fixes to health and safety problems, so ask.
Sidewalks, flood zone, wood smoke
The city's street maintenance team smooths uneven sidewalks; remodels of 600+ sq ft may be required to rebuild a cracked sidewalk. About 12% of the city is in a FEMA flood zone, and federal flood policies get a 10% discount (from about $119 a year outside the high-risk zone). Burning wood on a winter Spare the Air day costs $100 for a first ticket and $500 for a second.
Facts are checked against the public sources listed on each page. Rates change every year; each page shows when it was last checked. Individual bills are confidential in California, so personal numbers are estimates from public rates. Nothing here is legal, tax or insurance advice.