Parkway Planting: Hesperia vs Rialto
How do parkway planting rules compare between Hesperia, CA and Rialto, CA?
Hesperia and Rialto have similar restriction levels.
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 →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
The parkway strip between curb and sidewalk in Rialto is public right-of-way regulated by Title 12 (Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places). Planting, replacing, or removing a parkway tree requires Public Works approval, and species must come from the city's approved street-tree palette. New subdivisions and large developments must install street trees as a condition of map and site approval under Title 17 (Subdivisions) and Title 18 (Zoning).
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hesperia | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Parkway jurisdiction | - | Public right-of-way - Title 12 |
| Permit required to plant | - | Yes - Public Works |
| Species | - | From city-approved street tree palette |
| Subdivisions | - | Street trees required per Title 17 |
| Clearance | - | 8 ft sidewalk / 14 ft roadway typical |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Rialto FAQ
Can I plant a tree in the parkway strip in front of my house?
Only with a Public Works permit and using an approved species. The strip is public right-of-way under Title 12, not private property.
Who waters and trims the parkway tree?
Adjacent property owners are typically responsible for irrigation and routine care; the city handles permits, species choice, structural pruning of city street trees, and replacement when necessary.
What trees can I choose from?
Rialto Public Works maintains an approved street tree list emphasizing drought-tolerant species compatible with MWELO. Contact Public Works for the current palette before purchasing.
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