Heritage & Protected Trees: Chino vs Fontana
How do heritage & protected trees rules compare between Chino, CA and Fontana, CA?
Chino has fewer restrictions than Fontana.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino does NOT have a heritage tree ordinance. There is no city-maintained list of heritage trees, no DBH (diameter at breast height) threshold for protection, and no special permit required to remove a large or historically significant tree on private property. This is markedly different from neighboring Chino Hills, which protects any tree 44 inches DBH or greater under CHMC Ch. 16.90 — a Chino Hills rule that does not extend into Chino city limits.
View full Chino rules →Fontana, CA
San Bernardino County
California provides statewide protections for native oak woodlands and heritage trees through CEQA review, Public Resources Code, and Forest Practice Rules that apply uniformly.
View full Fontana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Local heritage tree ordinance | None | - |
| DBH threshold | N/A — no protection by size | - |
| Nearest comparable rule | Chino Hills CMC §16.90 (44-inch DBH) — does NOT apply in Chino | - |
| State-level oak protection | Fish & Game Code §§1360-1372 (project-level CEQA) | - |
| HOA areas with stricter rules | The Preserve, College Park — check CC&Rs | - |
| CEQA oak rule | - | PRC 21083.4 |
| Conservation Act | - | PRC 4799.06-4799.12 |
| Forest Practice Act | - | PRC 4511 et seq. |
| Civil penalty | - | Up to $10,000/day |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Does Chino have a heritage tree list?
No. Chino has no heritage tree ordinance, no protected-tree registry, and no diameter threshold for special permitting on private property.
I read that you cannot cut a 44-inch tree in Chino — is that true?
That rule is from Chino Hills (CHMC Ch. 16.90), a separate city. It does not apply within the City of Chino limits.
Are any trees protected at all?
Trees on public right-of-way and trees required by a development approval/landscape plan are protected through Public Works and Community Development. Mature oaks affected by a new development can also trigger California's Oak Woodlands Conservation Act review.
Fontana FAQ
Does California require permits to cut a backyard oak?
Not at the state level for individual residential trees. CEQA oak review applies to discretionary development projects, not routine private removals, though many cities require permits.
What counts as oak woodland under PRC 21083.4?
An oak stand with greater than 10% canopy cover that includes one or more native oak species, as defined by the statute.
Compare other topics
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