Tree removal permit rules in San Bernardino County, CA — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
San Bernardino County requires CDFW permits for Joshua tree removal and county permits for trees in the public right-of-way. Private property removal is generally permitted without a permit.
San Bernardino County generally does not require permits for removal of trees on private residential property, except in specific circumstances. Joshua trees (Yucca brevifolia and Yucca jaegeriana) are protected under the California Desert Native Plants Act and the 2023 Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act, requiring a permit from California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) for removal or relocation. This is especially important in the Morongo Basin, Yucca Valley, Joshua Tree, Lucerne Valley, and other High Desert areas. Heritage oak trees and certain native desert plants may require permits under the California Desert Native Plants Act in specified desert zones. Trees in the public right-of-way require a permit from the San Bernardino County Department of Public Works. In the San Bernardino Mountains, tree removal may require review under specific community plan provisions (Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear). Dead or dying trees in fire hazard zones are not only allowed to be removed, they are required to be cleared under defensible space rules.
Unpermitted removal of Joshua trees can result in CDFW fines up to 4,500 dollars per tree under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act. Removing trees in the public right-of-way without a permit can result in county citations plus replacement costs. Protected native plant removal can lead to significant state and local penalties.
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See how San Bernardino County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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