Tree Replacement Requirements: Chino vs Hesperia
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between Chino, CA and Hesperia, CA?
Chino has fewer restrictions than Hesperia.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino imposes replacement-tree requirements only through Title 20 (Zoning) landscape standards for new development, multi-family projects, commercial/industrial site plans, and parking lots — not through a standalone tree-removal ordinance. Replacement is also required for any city-owned parkway tree removed by Public Works (typically a 15-gallon or 24-inch box replacement in the same parkway). Single-family homeowners removing trees on their own lots have no city-imposed replacement obligation.
View full Chino rules →Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 16.24, Joshua trees and other protected native plants impacted by development must be relocated/transplanted on-site whenever feasible, or moved to an off-site area approved by the City of Hesperia. Trees unsuitable for relocation (due to size, poor health, damage, excessive branches, leaning, clonal growth, or exposed roots) must be disposed of per City requirements, and replacement vegetation may be required as a condition of project approval. A Protected Plant bond must be posted before any ground disturbance for single-family tract, multi-family, commercial, or industrial development. The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (FGC §1927) also requires CDFW mitigation fees for development takes.
View full Hesperia rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Hesperia |
|---|---|---|
| Single-family lot replacement | Not required by city code | - |
| New development replacement | Per approved landscape plan (Chino Code Title 20) | - |
| Typical replacement size | 15-gallon minimum; 24-inch box for significant trees | - |
| ROW tree replacement | Public Works (909-334-3266) — city selects species from master list | - |
| MWELO threshold (state) | ≥500 sq ft homeowner / ≥2,500 sq ft developer landscape installs | - |
| Replacement Standard | - | On-site transplant preferred (Hesperia MC §16.24) |
| Bond Required | - | Protected Plant bond before ground disturbance |
| Off-Site Relocation | - | Allowed only with City approval |
| State Mitigation | - | CDFW fees for Western Joshua tree take (FGC §1927) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
If I take out a tree in my yard, do I have to plant a new one?
Not unless the tree was required as a condition of a development permit (subdivision, ADU, addition with landscape plan, CUP). Homeowners replacing dead trees in standard residential yards have no city replacement requirement.
What about a tree the city removes from my parkway?
Public Works typically replants the same parkway with a species from the city's approved street tree list at the city's expense.
Does MWELO require trees?
MWELO (CCR Title 23) regulates irrigation efficiency and turf area, not tree counts, but landscape design plans submitted under MWELO commonly identify trees for shade and ET (evapotranspiration) credit.
Hesperia FAQ
Can a developer just cut down Joshua trees and pay a fee?
No. Hesperia requires on-site transplant whenever feasible. Only trees unsuitable for relocation may be removed, and replacement and CDFW mitigation are required.
What if a transplanted tree dies?
The Protected Plant bond covers survival monitoring; the developer typically must replace failed trees to satisfy bond release conditions.
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