Tree Removal Permits: Chino vs Hesperia
How do tree removal permits rules compare between Chino, CA and Hesperia, CA?
Chino has fewer restrictions than Hesperia.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino has no citywide heritage/private-tree preservation ordinance comparable to neighboring Chino Hills CMC Ch. 16.90. On private property, owners can generally remove trees without a city permit. A permit is required only when the tree is in the public right-of-way (parkway/street tree) or when removal is tied to a discretionary project subject to a landscape/site plan reviewed under Chino Development Code Title 20 (Zoning).
View full Chino rules →Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 16.24 (Protected Plants) regulates removal of native desert vegetation, including the Western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), which is also protected statewide under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (2023, Fish and Game Code §1927 et seq.). You may not remove, trim, damage, move, or kill a Western Joshua tree without a take permit from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). Non-protected ornamental trees on private residential lots generally do not require a city permit, but any tree on a parcel undergoing discretionary development review is subject to a Protected Plant Preservation Plan and a Protected Plant bond submitted prior to ground disturbance.
View full Hesperia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Hesperia |
|---|---|---|
| Private property permit | Not required by Chino Code for general tree removal | - |
| ROW / parkway trees | Public Works approval required — 909-334-3266 | - |
| Code authority | Chino Code Title 20 (Zoning); Title 11 (Streets & Public Places) | - |
| Neighbor overhang | Civil matter — city has no jurisdiction (Chino FAQ #72) | - |
| Code portal | library.municode.com/ca/chino | - |
| Local Code | - | Hesperia MC Ch. 16.24 (Protected Plants) |
| State Law | - | Cal. Fish & Game Code §§1927–1927.6 (Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act) |
| Permit Issuer (Joshua tree) | - | California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) |
| Hazard Permit Cost | - | Free (CDFW) |
| Ornamental Trees | - | No city permit for routine removal on existing residential lots |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my backyard in Chino?
Generally no. Chino does not have a heritage or private-tree preservation ordinance. The exception is a tree that was planted as a condition of a development approval (subdivision landscape plan, site plan, or CUP) — those require Community Development sign-off before removal.
What about the tree in the strip between the sidewalk and curb?
That parkway tree is a city tree maintained by Public Works (909-334-3266). You cannot remove or heavily prune it yourself; submit a request and the city decides whether to remove or replace it.
Is there a state law requiring a permit?
California's Oak Woodlands Conservation Act (Fish & Game Code §§1360-1372) and CEQA apply to development projects affecting oak woodlands but generally do not regulate single-tree removal on residential lots.
Hesperia FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a Joshua tree on my Hesperia property?
Yes. Under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, any removal, trimming, or relocation requires a permit from CDFW. Hesperia MC §16.24 also requires city review during development.
Can I remove a dead pine or juniper in my yard without a permit?
Non-protected, non-native ornamental trees on an existing single-family lot generally do not require a city permit, though HOA rules may apply.
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