Tree Protection in Pomona, CA

If you live in Pomona or are thinking about moving there, tree protection are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Pomona has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of tree protection, and some of them might surprise you.

Parkway Planting

Pomona's parks division keeps an approved list of ground covers and plantings for the planting strip between the curb and property line, and City Code Sec. 46-464(e) requires prior approval from the director of community services or public works before using anything else, paving it, or letting vines grow on a street tree.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 46-464(e). Permit needed for: Trimming, pruning, cutting, removal (Sec. 46-467). Planting strip easement: 6 feet behind sidewalk where possible. Oversight body: Parks and recreation commission. Owner duty: Water street trees; pay for negligent loss.

Willfully injuring a street tree, filling the root area with cement or building material, piling material against a trunk, posting unauthorized signs on a tree, or interfering with city crews doing planting or removal work all violate Sec. 46-467(c)-(d), and the responsible party or abutting owner pays for repairs. Sec. 46-469 lets the city place a lien on the property if it removes a hazardous or nuisance tree and the cost is not paid within 15 days of city council confirmation, collected as a special assessment on the property tax bill along with penalties and interest for delinquency.

Protected Tree Species

Pomona protects every Oak tree over eight inches in trunk diameter under Zoning and Development Code Sec. 1300.S. Trimming needs a Minor Oak Tree Permit reviewed by the Planning Manager and City Arborist; relocating or removing a protected Oak needs a Major Oak Tree Permit that goes to a noticed Planning Commission public hearing.

Key details: Protected size: trunk diameter over 8 inches, measured 4.5 ft up. Trim permit: Minor Oak Tree Permit, staff-level review. Remove/relocate permit: Major Oak Tree Permit, Planning Commission hearing. Permit validity: 30 days, one 30-day extension available. Replacement ratio: 1:1; 24-inch box residential, 36-inch box commercial.

Trimming, cutting, pruning, relocating, or removing a protected Oak tree without an approved Major or Minor Oak Tree Permit is a misdemeanor, punishable as set forth in Sec. 1-7(c) of the Pomona City Code. If an Oak tree affected by the violation dies within three years of the conviction date, the convicted person must additionally pay the City the full replacement cost of an equal-size tree, including installation, valued using International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) criteria; the City must spend that money planting a new Oak within the same City Council district where the dead tree stood. Failure to correct non-conforming permitted work within 7 days of a Planning Manager notice is treated the same way, as a separate misdemeanor per tree.

This is one of the stricter rules in Pomona's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Heritage & Protected Trees

Pomona protects mature oak trees over 8 inches in diameter citywide, plus specimen (heritage) oaks named in City Council Resolutions No. 62-65 and No. 73-68. Removing, relocating, trimming or cutting a protected oak without a Major or Minor Oak Tree Permit is a misdemeanor under the Zoning and Development Code.

Key details: Protected size: Oak trunk diameter over 8 inches at 4.5 ft. Trim permit: Minor Oak Tree Permit, staff-level review. Remove/relocate permit: Major Oak Tree Permit, Planning Commission hearing. Hearing notice: 10 days, mailed within 400 feet. Permit validity: 30 days, one 30-day extension.

Trimming, cutting, pruning, relocating or removing a protected oak without a valid Oak Tree Permit is a misdemeanor punishable as set forth in Pomona City Code Section 1-7(c). If a protected oak dies within three years of a conviction, the convicted person must pay the City the ISA-calculated dollar value of a replacement tree of equal size plus installation costs, remitted to fund a new oak planted in the same City Council district. Uncorrected work found nonconforming at final inspection must be fixed within 7 days of written notice from the Planning Manager or it likewise constitutes a misdemeanor per tree.

This is one of the stricter rules in Pomona's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Pomona is tougher than many cities when it comes to tree protection. Out of the 3 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Pomona, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Pomona's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.