Neighbor tree disputes in San Mateo County: what is different here
By Michael Schuck, ISA Certified Arborist WE-15750A · Last reviewed 2026-10-23
Cities we serve in San Mateo County
Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Pacifica, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco, Woodside and unincorporated San Mateo County. Site visit within 7 days of booking; travel included.
View ordinances in San Mateo County
No San Mateo County city has a view ordinance as far as we have verified. Hillside view disputes in Belmont, San Carlos, Emerald Hills and Hillsborough run on negotiation and the self-help rule. 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 Mateo 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
Peninsula disputes are heritage-oak disputes: coast live oaks over fences, with roots under pools, patios and foundations, in cities where the oak is protected at small sizes (Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, Palo Alto next door). Redwoods planted as hedges in the 1970s are now 80 feet tall and the second most common complaint. Hillsborough, Atherton and Woodside have some of the strictest removal rules and the highest penalties in the region.
Where disputes get resolved in San Mateo County
- Community mediation: Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, (650) 513-0330, pcrcweb.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 Mateo 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 San Mateo County?
Yes: Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Hillsborough, Menlo Park, Pacifica, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Bruno, San Carlos, San Mateo, South San Francisco, Woodside and unincorporated San Mateo County. Travel is included inside the seven core counties.
Is there a view ordinance in my city?
No San Mateo County city has a view ordinance as far as we have verified. Hillside view disputes in Belmont, San Carlos, Emerald Hills and Hillsborough run on negotiation and the self-help rule.
Where do I go for mediation?
Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center, (650) 513-0330, pcrcweb.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 Mateo 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.