Hesperia, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Hesperia, 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
- Trigger
- Conviction for illegal removal
- Requires
- Licensed tree/plant expert hired
- Bond
- Covers 2-year plant survival
- Also triggers
- 1-year permit revocation
Summary
A Hesperia property owner convicted of illegally removing a protected native tree or desert plant must hire an expert to design and carry out a replacement program, plus post a bond guaranteeing the new plantings survive at least two years.
In addition to other penalties imposed by this code or other law, any person, firm, or corporation convicted of violating the provisions of this chapter regarding improper removal of regulated native trees or plants shall be required to retain as appropriate, a tree or desert native plant expert to develop and implement a replacement program. Such expert shall determine the appropriate number, size, species, location and planting conditions for replacement plants or trees in sufficient quantities to revegetate the illegally disturbed area. If it is inappropriate to revegetate the illegally disturbed area another appropriate location (e.g., public parks) may be substituted at the direction of the court.
2.The violator shall post a bond in an amount sufficient to remove and reinstall plant/tree materials that were planted as a part of such a replacement program and failed within two years.C.Revocation of Permits. Upon conviction of a violation of this chapter, all native trees or desert native plant removal permits issued to the person, firm or corporation convicted shall be revoked and no new or additional removal permits shall be issued to the permittee for a period of one year from the date of conviction and additionally in the desert area the permittee shall be required to surrender any unused tags and seals or wood receipts to the agricultural commissioner. (Ord. 250 (part), 1997; SBCC § 811.0145)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 24 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Beyond the standard penalties in Chapter 1.12, § 16.24.100(B) of the Protected Plants chapter adds a mandatory replacement remedy for illegal removal: anyone convicted must retain a qualified tree or desert native plant expert to determine the number, size, species, and location of replacement plantings needed to revegetate the disturbed area, or substitute another site such as a public park if revegetation isn't practical. The violator must also post a bond covering removal and reinstallation of any replacement plants that fail within two years, and the conviction separately triggers permit revocation with a one-year bar on new removal permits under subsection (C).
Violations & Fines
Each illegally removed tree or plant is a separate offense under § 16.24.100(A); a conviction also revokes all removal permits held by the violator and bars new ones for one year under § 16.24.100(C).
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I cut down a protected tree in Hesperia without a permit?
Can replacement trees go somewhere other than the original site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hesperia
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle tree removal & heritage trees.