Tree Service in California: What It Includes, Laws & Costs (2026)
Wildfire-focused tree work removes the fuels that carry fire into the canopy and onto the roof: dead and dying trees, low limbs, and branches overhanging the home. PRC 4291 specifically requires keeping trees near structures free of dead wood and keeping branches clear of the chimney.
What tree service includes
- Hazard and dead tree removal
- Limbing up lower branches to remove ladder fuels
- Crown thinning and spacing between trees
- Clearing any portion of a tree within 10 feet of a chimney or stovepipe outlet
- Chipping, log removal and stump grinding
California laws that require it
PRC 4291 addresses trees directly: portions of trees within 10 feet of a chimney or stovepipe outlet must be removed, trees adjacent to structures must be kept free of dead or dying wood, and the roof must be kept clear of leaves and needles. Dead tree removal is also a common line item in AB-38 pre-sale compliance.
Related guides: AB-38 at home sale · Zone 0 · 2026 wildfire laws
What it costs
Tree work prices per tree, driven by height, condition and proximity to structures — a hazard removal that requires rigging over a house costs several times a simple drop in open ground. Some county Fire Safe Councils run free chipper programs that take the cleared slash, which trims disposal cost.
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