Riverside, CA Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Removing a street tree or parkway tree in Riverside requires a written permit issued by the City Arborist, who evaluates health, structural condition, conflict with infrastructure, and species diversity before approving removal. Approved removals typically carry a replacement condition: one or more replacement trees from the City's approved species list planted at the owner's cost, usually 24-inch-box size. Removing a City tree without a permit is a misdemeanor and the City may assess the appraised value of the tree (computed using the International Society of Arboriculture trunk-formula method) against the violator, which can reach several thousand dollars per tree. Heritage trees and native oaks (Quercus agrifolia, Quercus engelmannii, Quercus lobata) on private property may trigger review under the California Environmental Quality Act and the City's grading ordinance, especially in hillside zones and the Alessandro Heights, Sycamore Canyon, and La Sierra Hills areas. If a tree is dead, diseased, or poses an imminent hazard, the Arborist can issue an emergency removal authorization. Citrus trees of historical significance — part of Riverside's navel-orange heritage — may also be reviewed, particularly when removal is proposed as part of a development project. Owners should contact Urban Forestry at least two weeks before planned work.