Fontana, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Fontana Municipal Code Art. III, Ch. 28
- Protected species
- Black walnut, coast live oak, deodora cedar, sycamore, London plane
- Small-lot exclusion
- Significant/specimen rules skip parcels under 1 acre
- Construction barrier
- Fence required before any grading/building permit
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 fine per tree, Sec. 1-7
- Adopted
- Ord. No. 1126, August 16, 1994
Summary
Fontana designates heritage, significant and specimen trees under Article III of Municipal Code Chapter 28. A tree qualifies as heritage if it carries local historical significance, marks a key period of the city's growth such as a windrow or European Olive tree, is a federally or state protected species, or is flagged by the city manager for its size, condition or aesthetic value.
Heritage tree means any tree which: (1)Is of historical value because of its association with a place, building, natural feature or event of local, regional or national historical significance as identified by city council resolution; or(2)Is representative of a significant period of the city's growth or development (windrow tree, European Olive tree); or(3)Is a protected or endangered species as specified by federal or state statute; or(4)Is deemed historically or culturally significant by the city manager or his or her designee because of size, condition, location or aesthetic qualities.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 | Zoning and Development Code: Supplement 17).
Full Breakdown
The city council adopted this article to preserve heritage, significant and specimen trees for the scenic beauty, wind protection, soil erosion control and urban forestation they provide, per Sec. 28-61. It applies to development projects requiring a subdivision, design advisory board review or design review, plus any tree the council designates by resolution or that state or federal law lists as endangered, per Sec. 28-62. Significant trees are limited to five listed species (Southern California black walnut, coast live oak, deodora cedar, California sycamore and London plane) and the protection excludes any of those species on a residential parcel smaller than one acre, per Sec.
28-63. Once a project triggers the article, Sec. 28-66 requires a construction barrier such as chainlink fencing around every protected tree before any grading or building permit issues, bars grading or storage of materials within the drip line, and prohibits any structure or impervious paving within the drip line or a six-foot radius of the trunk, whichever is greater. No grade change of more than two feet is allowed within 30 feet of the drip line unless a certified arborist or city staff approves it. These are protection standards tied to designated trees; the separate removal permit process sits in Sec. 28-64.
Violations & Fines
Violating this article is a misdemeanor punishable under Sec. 1-7, which caps fines at $1,000.00, imprisonment at six months, or both. Sec. 28-74 makes each heritage, significant or specimen tree illegally damaged or removed a separate offense, so a single grading job that harms several protected trees can generate multiple counts rather than one citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a tree "heritage" in Fontana?
Do these rules cover my single-family lot?
What triggers heritage tree review on a project?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fontana
California rules heatmap·Compare Fontana to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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Heritage & Protected Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle heritage & protected trees.