THE TREE REBATE PROGRAM HAS COME TO A CLOSE

Due to funds for the program being extinguished, the Tree Rebate Program has come to a close and applications are no longer being accepted.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this successful program to make San José a greener place to live. Over the course of the program we issued rebates for 190 trees installed at different addresses located within San José!

San José’s community forest is a vital component of the City’s assets and infrastructure. A community forest provides many environmental services to the City, which are correlated with mental and physical health, and economic benefits. In addition to the environmental services, trees provide mental and emotional health benefits. Simply being able to see trees, parks, and gardens while in a city has been scientifically linked to reduced mental and physical stress, better student performance in school, and better attention to tasks while at work. Additionally, tree-lined streets are more walkable, contribute to more active and healthy lifestyles, and can reduce both the number of traffic collisions and severity of injury for car and pedestrian or cyclist crashes. In addition, well-managed vegetation in neighborhoods may reduce both personal and property crime.

The Goal

Our goal is to be able to provide a financial incentive to purchase a tree to assist with replenishing our urban forest, with benefits listed above for current and future generations.

Rebate Conditions:

1. The tree must be planted in the park strip (within 10ft from the street) in front of a residential property within the City of San Jose.
2. The tree must be one of the approved street trees from the City Arborist and a permit must be obtained to plant the tree. We encourage applicants to purchase their tree through Our City Forest who offers a more streamlined process for permitting, purchasing, and care for the tree.
3. Maximum of one rebate per residence.
4. Maximum rebate is $100 and may only cover the cost of the tree itself, not any planting or maintenance services.
5. The tree must be purchased on or after August 1, 2022.
6. All applications must be submitted no later than 90 days after purchase.
7. All trees must be purchased new, original sales receipt must be included with the rebate application as proof of purchase.
8. Tenants who wish to participate should contact their property owner/manager prior to purchasing and planting tree(s). Tenants must provide the owner’s signed approval of the tree planting.
9. Applicants must review Our City Forest’s Planting Instructional Video, Watering Guide, and Tree Care Guide.
10. This program has a limited budget. Applications will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, until funds are depleted.

Rebate Application Checklist:

1. Review Rebate Conditions.
2. Read Our City Forest’s guide to planting and caring for a street tree.
3. Apply for a street tree planting by emailing arborist@sanjoseca.gov. Please include your name, email address, property address, and a brief description of your request. If you are purchasing your tree through Our City Forest, you can skip this step as Our City Forest will handle the permit for you.
4. Purchase your tree and plant it promptly. Be sure to save the original receipt from your purchase to submit with your rebate application. Ensure that you receive an itemized receipt the specifies the cost of the tree itself.
5. Complete the Tree Rebate Application form within 90 days of the purchase of the tree.

Please note: Obtaining the required street tree planting permit will trigger an inspection of the entire adjacent right of way that all property owners are responsible for, to look for potential hazards or obstructions. This inspection will include existing trees, landscape, sidewalk, curb and gutter, driveway approach, etc. If inspectors identify any hazards or obstructions, the property owner will be provided a written notice outlining any repairs they will be required to complete at their own expense and the timeline for completing those repairs.

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