Parkway Planting: Chino vs Hesperia
How do parkway planting rules compare between Chino, CA and Hesperia, CA?
Chino and Hesperia have similar restriction levels.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Trees in the public parkway (the strip between sidewalk and curb) and elsewhere in the public right-of-way are city property, planted, maintained, and removed only by Chino Public Works Services (909-334-3266). Residents may not plant, remove, top, or substantially prune parkway trees themselves. Two HOA-maintained areas — College Park and The Preserve — handle their own street trees instead of Public Works.
View full Chino rules →Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Hesperia does not maintain a comprehensive street-tree program of the kind seen in coastal California cities. Parkway (the strip between curb and sidewalk where it exists) and street-tree plantings are addressed primarily through Hesperia Municipal Code Title 16 (Development Code) landscaping standards and conditions of approval for new development. Property owners maintain landscaping in the parkway adjoining their lot. New plantings must comply with the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO, Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, §490 et seq.) and Mojave Water Agency conservation standards. Joshua trees and protected native plants in any parkway remain subject to Hesperia MC Ch. 16.24 and Fish & Game Code §1927.
View full Hesperia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Hesperia |
|---|---|---|
| Resident parkway planting | Not allowed without city approval | - |
| City Public Works contact | 909-334-3266 | - |
| Species list | City master street tree list (select from approved species) | - |
| HOA-maintained areas | College Park (909-606-7374); The Preserve (909-606-7446) | - |
| Encroachment permit | Required under Chino Code Title 11 for parkway modifications | - |
| Local Authority | - | Hesperia MC Title 16 (Development Code) |
| State Landscape Law | - | MWELO, Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, §490 et seq. |
| Maintenance | - | Property owner maintains adjoining parkway |
| Water Agency | - | Mojave Water Agency conservation standards |
| Protected Trees | - | Joshua tree/native plant rules still apply in parkway |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Can I plant my own tree in the parkway?
Not without prior approval from Public Works. The city selects species from a master list to ensure compatibility with sidewalks, utilities, sight lines, and neighborhood character.
Can I trim a parkway tree blocking my driveway view?
Call Public Works at 909-334-3266 — they handle sight-distance and building-clearance pruning case-by-case. Resident topping or heavy pruning is not allowed.
Who maintains street trees in The Preserve and College Park?
The respective HOAs — Preserve HOA (909-606-7446) and College Park HOA (909-606-7374). The city Public Works program does not service those areas.
What if I want to remove a dead parkway tree?
Report it to Public Works; they will inspect, remove if warranted, and typically replant from the approved master list at no cost to the homeowner.
Hesperia FAQ
Do I need a permit to plant a tree in the parkway in front of my house?
Not for typical ornamental species, but the plant must be drought-tolerant per MWELO and may be subject to subdivision landscaping conditions. Avoid utilities and clear-vision triangles.
Can I remove a tree from the parkway in front of my house?
Non-protected ornamental trees can usually be removed without a permit. Protected native species like Joshua trees cannot be removed without a CDFW permit, regardless of location.
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