Neighbor tree disputes in Marin County: what is different here
By Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A · Last reviewed 2026-10-23
Cities we serve in Marin County
Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon and unincorporated Marin. Site visit within 7 days of booking; travel included.
View ordinances in Marin County
These cities give a neighbor a claim to restore a view:
Mill Valley has no view ordinance (why that matters); neither do the other Marin cities as far as we have verified.
Protected-tree rules
Every Marin County city with a tree ordinance protects trees above a size or species threshold, which means neither neighbor can remove, and often cannot heavily prune, the tree in dispute without a permit, whatever they agree between themselves. Thresholds, species lists, measurement rules, fees and penalties are catalogued city by city on Urban Forestry Guide, and the report cites the rule that applies to your tree.
What disputes look like here
Marin disputes are view disputes first: Monterey pines, redwoods, eucalyptus and acacias planted in the 1960s and 70s have grown into Bay views on every hillside from Sausalito to San Rafael. The second pattern is hazard: aging Monterey pines with pitch canker and bark beetle, and eucalyptus dropping limbs over roofs in the wind corridors. Marin also has the most protected-tree ordinances per square mile in the Bay Area, so almost nothing comes out without a permit.
Where disputes get resolved in Marin County
- Community mediation: Marin County Mediation Services, (415) 499-7454. Low-cost or free, routinely takes neighbor tree cases, and the arborist can attend at $250 per hour. Several view ordinances require a mediation offer before anything else.
- Small claims: Marin County Superior Court, claims up to $12,500 for individuals, no lawyer required. The report is the evidence.
- Civil action: larger damage, injunctions, and view claims in superior court with counsel; the arborist becomes a retained expert. For attorneys →
Start here
Find your situation on the situations page, or start a report. Dispute Assessment Report from $850; View Obstruction Report from $950 in view-ordinance cities. Text (415) 881-0124 with the address and a photo for a free read on whether a report will help.
Questions people ask
Do you cover all of Marin County?
Yes: Belvedere, Corte Madera, Fairfax, Larkspur, Mill Valley, Novato, Ross, San Anselmo, San Rafael, Sausalito, Tiburon and unincorporated Marin. Travel is included inside the seven core counties.
Is there a view ordinance in my city?
Only in Tiburon, Belvedere, Sausalito. Mill Valley has no view ordinance (why that matters); neither do the other Marin cities as far as we have verified.
Where do I go for mediation?
Marin County Mediation Services, (415) 499-7454. Community mediation is low-cost or free, takes tree cases routinely, and the arborist can attend by the hour.
Where is small claims heard?
The Marin County Superior Court hears claims up to $12,500 for individuals. The arborist report is the usual evidence of cause and condition in a tree case.