Environmental Considerations

Native oak trees (valley oak, live oak, blue oak), non-oak native trees (California sycamore and California black walnut), and "landmark trees" (large, healthy non-native trees) are afforded various levels of protection through the environmental review policy. The Planning and Environmental Review staff person assigned to the project will determine the potential for tree impacts during the submittal and completion of the application (884 process).    Environmental analysis of heavily treed sites, or development projects that will substantially impact or remove on-site or off-site trees, will generally require an arborist’s report. 

Native Oak Tree Mitigation Requirements, Forms and Planting Detail

Native oak trees within the unincorporated area of Sacramento County are protected by the County Tree Preservation Ordinance​ - Chapter 19.12​ and the County General Plan ​Conservation Element. The following links are for commonly requested forms and drawings related to tree mitigation for development projects:

• Arborist Report Submittal Requirements. This document provides detailed guidance for report preparation, including site inventory, assessment and exhibit preparation. Please contact Trees@saccounty.gov for this document.
• ISA Tree Hazard Evaluation Form.  A detailed form for consistent evaluation of tree hazards by qualified arborists.
• Sacramento County Standard Tree Planting Detail.  This schematic provides instructions on proper planting of landscaping trees (including mitigation tree plantings). Please contact Trees@saccounty.gov for this document.

If you are inquiring about a native oak tree on private property not associated with recent land development, please contact the County Tree Coordinator.

Non-Native Tree Canopy Policy

The Urban Forest Management section of the Conservation Element​ ​of the General Plan has the objective of doubling the county’s tree canopy by 2050.   Supporting policies call for education and regional cooperation toward that objective.  Further, Policy CO-145 specifies mitigation for non-native tree canopy impacts by creating equivalent canopy on-site.  Equivalent canopy coverage is calculated using the 15-year shade cover values for tree species. If onsite mitigation isn’t possible, then applicants may contribute to Greenprint funding.  Mitigation for tree canopy impacts will be fully assessed through the environmental process and implemented through the conditions of approval for the project.​

Wetlands are a significant resource in Sacramento County. In our area, vernal pools are a prominent type of seasonal wetland. They are of particular note because they are the only habitat to a variety of rare, threatened, or endangered plant and animal species. Wetlands are regulated at the federal, state, and county level.

During the Initial Review of a project, aerial photographs may reveal the potential presence of wetlands on a project site. You may also be aware of seasonal wetlands or perennial wetlands on your project site. Projects on sites with wetlands may be asked to submit the following information as a part of the Planning application:

• Wetlands Delineation. In consultation with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers submit a delineation of the existing wetlands on the subject property. Prior to submitting the map, the wetland delineation must be verified by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If there will be any fill placed in on-site wetlands, then you will be required to obtain a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, pursuant to Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. Please contact the Corps regarding their permit requirements for this project and submit evidence of such contact with the Corps.
• Biological Inventory. A biological inventory, prepared by a qualified biologist, will determine if there are any listed or proposed rare, threatened, endangered, or candidate plant and animal species on State or Federal lists on the property. If listed species are found on the site, you will need to redesign the project or otherwise provide mitigation for impacts to these species based on consultation with the State Department of Fish and Game and/or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A list of wetland/vernal pool consultants operating within the Sacramento Metropolitan area is available through our website.
• Wetland Preservation/Compensation Plan. County General Plan policy requires that the project result in no net loss of wetlands. If any wetlands will be impacted by the proposed development, provide a Wetland Preservation/Compensation Plan prepared by a qualified biologist which contains at least the following:
  • Project Impact Description. Applicants may be asked to submit description of how the proposed project will impact wetlands on the project site including direct impacts and indirect impacts through changes to on-site drainage, if any.
  • Proposed Mitigation Methods. Applicants may be asked to provide a complete description of mitigation methods proposed, including methods for wetland restoration, vegetation establishment and the location of mitigation efforts.
  • Maintenance Plan. A description of long term maintenance and protection activities including the source of funding and personnel who will conduct these activities to assure permanent protection of the wetlands.
  • Fencing Exhibit. An exhibit showing the location and type of any fencing that is proposed to protect the wetlands.​

Please note that the result of your consultation with the Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service could significantly influence the content of the Wetland Mitigation Plan. The Wetland Mitigation Plan may include monetary compensation into the County Wetlands Restoration Trust Fund.

Steep sites, sites with creeks or swales, and/or sites impacted by a flood hazard often require grading during the development process. This may be done to provide level building pads, develop roads, reduce flood hazard, or simply to facilitate efficient development. Grading can impact surrounding sites, on and off-site drainage, floodplain characteristics, and the aesthetic of the site. Minimizing those impacts is a primary an important part of the development approval process.
Development projects that have substantial topographic relief or involve grading may require the following information as a part of the Planning application:

• A map showing the existing site topography with 2-foot contour intervals (1-foot intervals if the project is within the 100-year floodplain). The map should also show the existing features of the site, such as roads, structures, drainage swales, etc.
• If any on site grading is proposed, provide a "preliminary grading plan" that indicates areas and magnitudes of cuts and fills. The area of fill should be clearly depicted on the grading plan (i.e. with cross hatch marks or shading) using the following increments of fill depth (0-1 feet, 1-2 feet, 2-3 feet, 3 feet). Indicate the finished floor elevation of all proposed structures on the grading plan.

The Department of Water Resources provides information regarding the 100-year floodplain and local flood hazards.