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

The City of San Bernardino distinguishes between private trees on improved residential lots, street trees located in the public right-of-way between sidewalk and curb, heritage or landmark trees designated under the municipal code or a specific plan, and trees within sensitive resource areas such as streambeds, floodplains, or habitat conservation overlays. Standard private yard trees may generally be removed by the property owner without a city permit. Street trees, however, are city property even when fronting a private lot; removal, severe pruning, or root pruning requires an encroachment or arborist permit from Public Works, and replacement planting may be required at the owner expense. Designated heritage trees, often mature natives or specimen plantings identified in subdivision maps, specific plans, or landscape ordinances, can only be removed under a permit showing that the tree is dead, dangerous, or that removal is necessary and that replacement mitigation will be planted. Trees on hillside lots, within floodway or flood zone overlays, or within 100 feet of a blue-line stream may trigger CEQA review and biological assessment. Between February 1 and September 1, any tree removal must respect the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and California Fish and Game Code 3503 if active nests are present; the city may require a nesting bird survey by a qualified biologist before removal during breeding season. Oak trees, particularly coast live oaks common in the foothills, may be protected under a heritage oak designation with stricter replacement ratios.