Tree Protection in Riverside County, CA (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Riverside County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Riverside County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Protected Tree Species

Removing a living native tree above 5,000 feet elevation on a parcel over half an acre requires a planning director permit in unincorporated Riverside County: cutting, poisoning, or over-pruning one without approval is illegal.

Riverside County Protected Native Tree Removal

Significant Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 12.24.010

No person shall remove any living native tree on any parcel or property greater than one-half acre in size, located in an area above five thousand (5,000) feet in elevation and within the unincorporated area of the county, without first obtaining a permit to do so, unless exempted by the provisions of Section 12.24.040.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parkway Planting

New land divisions in unincorporated Riverside County must plant street trees as a condition of approval, spaced roughly 60 feet apart with one tree per lot frontage.

Riverside County Street Tree Rules

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 16.48.010

The planting of street trees in connection with the development of new land divisions is desirable and shall be required as a condition of approval in Schedule "A," "B," "C," "D," "E," "F" and "G" land divisions unless otherwise exempted... Trees shall be located a minimum of ten (10) feet from driveways... Trees shall be spaced at approximately sixty (60) foot intervals or a minimum of one tre...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Protection by City in Riverside County

5 cities in Riverside County have their own tree protection rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

RiversidePop. 314,998

1 verified rule • Parkway Planting

Moreno ValleyPop. 212,477

2 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Parkway Planting

CoronaPop. 157,136

2 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Parkway Planting

MurrietaPop. 113,167

3 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Parkway Planting

TemeculaPop. 110,003

3 verified rules • Heritage & Protected Trees, Parkway Planting

All Riverside County ordinances

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