Ontario owners must trim trees so branches clear sidewalks, streets, and signs. Parkway street trees are city-owned and require a Public Works permit to prune, plant, or remove.
Ontario Municipal Code street tree provisions and Public Works rules assign the city ownership and management of parkway (street) trees in the strip between curb and sidewalk. Residents must not prune, remove, or top street trees without a permit from Ontario Public Works, and unauthorized cutting can result in replacement costs and civil penalties. For private trees on the owner's lot, owners must maintain clearances: at least 14 feet over streets, 8 feet over sidewalks, and a clear sight triangle at corners per California Vehicle Code 21400 and city street standards. Branches obscuring stop signs, streetlights, or address numbers may be cited. California Civil Code 833 through 834 and long-standing case law also allow a neighbor to trim back branches that cross the property line, but only up to the line and without injuring the tree's health. Oak and heritage tree protection is limited in Ontario since the city is outside oak woodland zones.
Courtesy notice to trim, followed by administrative citation if ignored. Unauthorized removal or topping of a city street tree can lead to replacement cost recovery of several hundred to several thousand dollars and civil penalties.
Ontario, CA
Outdoor music is regulated under OMC Title 5 Chapter 29 and the special-event permit process. Venues and events with amplified sound need a city permit; resi...
Ontario, CA
Aircraft noise from Ontario International Airport (ONT) is regulated by the FAA, not the city. ONT runs an FAA Part 150 noise compatibility program; federal ...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires a building permit for masonry walls and any fence over 7 feet under the California Building Code. Retaining walls over 4 feet also require p...
Ontario, CA
Ontario fence requirements include zoning-based heights, setbacks, sight triangles, buffer walls on industrial edges, and CBC structural standards. Pool, ret...
Ontario, CA
Ontario limits residential fence heights under the Development Code. Typical maximums are 6 feet rear/side, 3 feet front, and 42 inches in sight-distance tri...
Ontario, CA
Ontario requires dogs to be leashed off-property under OMC Title 6. Maximum leash length is 6 feet, with owner control required in all public spaces except d...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle tree trimming.
See how Ontario's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.