Certified arborist in Incline Village, NV
A certified arborist in Incline Village starts with the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's rule: a live tree over 14 inches in diameter at breast height needs a TRPA permit to come down. Battle Born Tree Service has two ISA Certified Arborists on staff (credential WE-11728A), and Incline Village is about 48 minutes from our yard without traffic.
- 4.8 on Google · 44 reviews
- Best of Carson City 2018-2025
- ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A
- Fully insured
Incline Village sits at about 6,400 feet on Tahoe's north shore, in zone 6b, among tall native conifers. Nearly half its homes predate 1980, so many trees are old, large and close to roofs.
At a glance
- TRPA permit: live trees over 14 inches DBH
- A dead tree that could fall on a house needs no TRPA permit
- About 61% of buildings in the direct wildfire exposure zone
- Two ISA Certified Arborists, credential WE-11728A
How do I measure a tree for the TRPA rule?
To check a tree, wrap a tape around the trunk 4.5 feet above the ground and divide by 3.14. A trunk of 44 inches around is about 14 inches across. TRPA also sets a 6-inch limit for lakeshore lots, between the house and the lake. The agency decides what is allowed.
A dead tree that could fall on a house needs no TRPA permit. For defensible space tree permits, North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District evaluates Incline and Crystal Bay properties.
What a Tahoe arborist looks for
Tall conifers carry weight high up, so the arborist checks for dead tops, trunk cracks, signs of beetle attack, and soil movement at the base. See our guide on bark beetles. We do not treat insects; the visit decides whether pruning or removal is the answer.
Slopes and tight driveways affect equipment. Planning access is part of the visit.
Old homes, big trees
About 47% of Incline Village homes were built before 1980, with a median year of 1981 (U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020-2024). Many trees stand within a few feet of a roof.
Fire and weather
The USDA Forest Service rates Incline Village's wildfire risk to homes higher than 97.7% of US communities, and about 61% of buildings are in the direct exposure zone. The 2001 Martis Fire, mapped at 14,429 acres, had its center about 7.8 miles away (NIFC).
The Incline Village station records average temperature of 46 degrees. No precipitation normal is recorded within 8 miles on the Nevada side; Tahoe City's 179 inches of snowfall across the lake is a reference, not a local figure.
What a Tahoe consultation covers
The visit includes a diameter check on trees you are thinking about removing, a look at trunk and crown condition, and notes for any TRPA or fire district paperwork you may need. The agency decides, and we can tell you what to ask them. A free estimate follows for any pruning or removal.
Staying on the Nevada side
We serve Incline Village on Tahoe's Nevada side. We do not work on the California shore.
Sources
- Tahoe Regional Planning Agency: Trees and Defensible Space (read October 1, 2026)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimates, Incline Village CDP (retrieved October 1, 2026)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, Incline Village and Tahoe City stations (retrieved October 1, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service, Wildfire Risk to Communities (April 2026 data)
- National Interagency Fire Center, fire perimeter history (Martis Fire, 2001) (retrieved October 1, 2026)
- OSRM public routing server (OpenStreetMap road network), free-flow driving estimate from 6301 US Highway 50 East (retrieved October 1, 2026)
Rules here
TRPA permit: live trees over 14 inches in diameter at breast height (6 inches for lakeshore lots, between the house and the lake). A dead tree that could fall on a house needs no TRPA permit.
Defensible space evaluations and tree permits: North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District.
Talk to the office
| Monday to Friday | 8:30 am - 5:00 pm |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | Office closed, phones answered |
Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service.
Free estimateMeasuring aid
Tahoe tree permit check: measure your tree
In the Lake Tahoe Basin, the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) requires a permit to remove a live tree over 14 inches in diameter at breast height (4.5 feet up the trunk). On lakeshore lots the limit is 6 inches for trees between the house and the lake. Wrap a tape around the trunk at 4.5 feet and enter the number.
Enter the measurement to see the diameter.
This is a measuring aid, not a ruling. TRPA and your fire protection district decide. A dead tree that could fall on a house does not need a TRPA permit. TRPA tree rules
Also in Incline Village
Other services in Incline Village
Tree removal Tree trimming and pruning Stump grinding Emergency tree service Defensible space and fire mitigation Crane-assisted tree removal Snow removal
Straight answers
Certified arborist questions in Incline Village
Still have a question? Call 775.232.8243. Phones are answered seven days a week.
Do I need a TRPA permit to remove a tree?
For a live tree over 14 inches DBH, yes. A dead tree that could fall on a house needs none. The agency decides.
How do I measure DBH?
Tape the trunk at 4.5 feet and divide by 3.14. The checker on this page does the math.
Who handles defensible space permits?
North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District for Incline and Crystal Bay.
How far is Incline Village?
About 30.7 miles, or about 48 minutes without traffic.
Free estimates
Get a free, detailed estimate
A certified arborist looks at the job before any work starts. Tell us what you have and our office will set up a time.
- 4.8 out of 5 on Google from 44 reviews (October 17, 2026)
- Best of Carson City, Best Tree Service, first place 2018 through 2025 (Nevada Appeal readers' poll)
- ISA Certified Arborist WE-11728A on staff
- BBB accredited since 2015, A+ rating
- Carson City based since October 2013
Phones answered seven days a week. 24-hour emergency service.