Tree Removal Permits: Rialto vs San Bernardino
How do tree removal permits rules compare between Rialto, CA and San Bernardino, CA?
Rialto and San Bernardino have similar restriction levels.
Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Rialto has no standalone heritage/native tree ordinance for private single-family parcels. Removal of street trees, parkway trees, and trees on developed sites is regulated through Public Works (Title 12) and the design review/landscaping provisions of Title 18 Zoning. Required landscaping installed under an approved site plan generally cannot be removed without a replacement plan approved by the Planning Division.
View full Rialto rules →San Bernardino, CA
San Bernardino County
San Bernardino County requires permits to remove protected native trees, including oaks, sycamores, junipers, and pinyon pines on undisturbed parcels. Mountain communities also protect specific conifer species under community-plan tree ordinances.
View full San Bernardino rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Rialto | San Bernardino |
|---|---|---|
| Public right-of-way trees | Permit required from Public Works (Title 12) | - |
| Required landscape trees | Revised plan + Planning approval to remove | - |
| Heritage tree list | No citywide heritage ordinance | - |
| State framework | PRC §4799.06 Urban Forestry Act; CCR Title 14 | - |
| Single-family interior trees | Generally no permit on private lot | - |
| Protected oaks | - | Coast live oak and valley oak |
| Mountain conifers | - | Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear |
| Hazard trees | - | After-the-fact reporting |
| Replacement | - | Often required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Rialto FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my backyard?
For an ordinary tree on a private single-family lot in Rialto, no city permit is generally required, provided the tree was not part of a conditioned landscape plan. Check with the Planning Division if your home is in a newer subdivision with recorded landscape conditions.
What about the tree in the parkway strip in front of my house?
Parkway and street trees are in the public right-of-way under Title 12 and are city-managed. You must contact Rialto Public Works for permission to prune or remove and follow their replacement direction.
Does California require a permit?
California has no statewide private-tree removal permit for non-protected species. State law (PRC §4799.06 et seq.) instead encourages cities to adopt urban forestry programs, which Rialto does through its public works and zoning code.
San Bernardino FAQ
Are dead trees exempt?
Confirmed dead and hazardous trees may be removed without prior permit, but you should photo-document and notify the county afterward to avoid suspicion of poaching live protected trees.
Do I need a permit for fruit trees?
No, non-native fruit trees, ornamental landscape trees, and citrus are not protected. Only native species listed in the Development Code or community plan trigger tree-removal permitting.
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