Chino Hills, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)

90 of the Chino Hills Development Code, Tree Preservation, singles out heritage trees as one of two protected categories alongside native trees. 020(E) defines a heritage tree as any single- or multi-trunk tree with a cumulative diameter of 44 inches or greater measured at breast height (DBH), of significant age, health, and quality to be deemed valuable to the community's aesthetics by a City-approved certified arborist. The definition excludes invasive species listed by the California Invasive Plant Council and trees prone to breaking or falling, such as Eucalyptus Blue Gum, if a City-approved arborist so identifies them.

030 exempts heritage trees on already-developed private property outside the City's Fire Hazard Overlay District, and exempts trees within the overlay if they are not visible from adjacent streets, rights-of-way, or parks. 040, and no grading or building permit can issue until that tree permit is obtained. 060, such as disease, danger of falling, interference with utilities, or that keeping the tree would force an oddly configured structure. 070's mitigation ratio, funded either on-site or through the City's Protected Tree Replacement Fund.