Neighbor tree disputes in San Francisco: what is different here
By Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A · Last reviewed 2026-10-23
Cities we serve in San Francisco
all San Francisco neighborhoods. Site visit within 7 days of booking; travel included.
View ordinances in San Francisco
San Francisco has no view ordinance. View disputes between neighbors run on negotiation and the self-help rule only. California has no general right to a view, so a blocked view alone is not actionable; hazard, encroachment and damage are. See tree blocking my view.
Protected-tree rules
Every San Francisco 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
San Francisco disputes are about small lots: a single Monterey cypress or pittosporum in a rear yard shading three neighbors, roots in a shared sewer lateral, a ficus lifting a sidewalk and a neighbor's garage slab, and street trees whose responsibility moved to the City under StreetTreeSF. Significant trees and landmark trees are protected under Public Works Code Article 16, and work on them needs a permit regardless of what neighbors agree.
Where disputes get resolved in San Francisco
- Community mediation: Community Boards, (415) 920-3820, communityboards.org. 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: San Francisco 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 San Francisco?
Yes: all San Francisco neighborhoods. Travel is included inside the seven core counties.
Is there a view ordinance in my city?
San Francisco has no view ordinance. View disputes between neighbors run on negotiation and the self-help rule only.
Where do I go for mediation?
Community Boards, (415) 920-3820, communityboards.org. 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 San Francisco 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.