Chino, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Chino, CA, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Section
- CMC § 20.19.040(F)
- Mature oak threshold
- trunk over 8 inches
- Mature other-tree threshold
- trunk over 10 inches
- Single-family exemption
- trees under 15 inches
- Adopted
- Ord. 2015-008 (2015); Ord. 2016-005 (2016)
Summary
Chino requires the Director of Community Development's written approval before removing a mature tree, oak trees over 8 inches, other trees over 10 inches, or multi-trunk trees with 38+ inches combined circumference, on qualifying development.
Mature trees shall not be removed without prior written approval of the Director of Community Development or his designee. For the purposes of this section, mature trees shall include: oak trees with trunks more than eight inches in diameter at breast height; other trees with trunks more than ten inches in diameter at breast height; and multi-trunk trees with a total circumference of thirty-eight inches or more at breast height.3.Any removed mature tree(s) requires replacement as designated in the chart below with a species designated by the director of community development or his designee. TABLE 20.19-4.1 MINIMUM SIZE OF REPLACEMENT TREE
Trunk Diameter of Tree (Measured at Breast Height) No. of Trees to Replace With Minimum Size of Replacement Tree
Under 10" 2 24" box 10" - 14" 2 36" box 15" - 29" 3 48" box 30" + 2 60" box
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Chino Municipal Code § 20.19.040(F) bars removing a 'mature tree', defined as an oak with a trunk over eight inches in diameter, another species over ten inches, or a multi-trunk tree with 38+ inches total circumference at breast height, without the Director of Community Development's prior written approval. The rule applies to multi-family, common-area, and non-residential development; single-family lots are covered only for trees 15 inches or more in diameter. Removing any tree 10 inches or larger also requires an ISA-certified arborist report at the owner's expense. Adopted by Ord. 2015-008, § 1, 2015; amended by Ord. 2016-005, §§ 12-13, 2016.
Violations & Fines
No fine is printed here. Removal instead triggers mandatory replacement, up to three replacement trees per tree removed (Table 20.19-4.1), or an in-lieu fee to the city's tree fund if on-site planting isn't feasible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a big tree in Chino?
What if the tree is 10 inches or bigger in diameter?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle tree removal & heritage trees.