CMC Ch. 16.68 (Voluntary Heritage Tree Program), established by CMC 16.68.010, identifies, promotes public awareness of, maintains, and protects designated Heritage Trees on public and private property. Any person may apply (with property owner's signed consent if not the owner). The Urban Forest Manager reviews and forwards to the Bidwell Park and Playground Commission, which recommends to City Council for designation. Designated heritage trees may only be removed under Ch. 16.66.
Criteria for designation include any native oak (Quercus) species at 36-inch DBH (single trunk) or 36-inch cumulative DBH (multi-trunk) in good health and structure — the same threshold that automatically qualifies a tree as 'protected' under CMC Ch. 16.66 even without formal heritage designation. Sycamores (Platanus) at 36-inch DBH receive the same protection. Notable Chico heritage trees include a 78-inch valley oak on Cohasset Road. The first six heritage trees were approved by City Council on November 2. Chico's strong heritage layer reflects the city's identity as home to 3,670-acre Bidwell Park (3rd-largest municipal park in U.S.) with valley oak and sycamore riparian woodlands. California Title 14 CCR provides the forestry frame; Chico's local layer is substantially more protective for urban native oaks.
Removing or damaging a designated heritage tree without a Ch. 16.66 permit is a violation. Replacement at 1 new 15-gallon tree per 6 inches DBH removed under CMC 16.66.085, with similar species unless approved by the urban forest manager; in-lieu fee available where on-site replanting infeasible.
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