Indio, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Designated by
- Community Services Commission
- Applies to
- Public trees only
- Removal test
- Public interest must outweigh preservation
- Underlying permit
- Still required, § 98.07
Summary
Indio trees the Community Services Commission designates as heritage trees get extra protection: removal is allowed only when the public benefit of removal outweighs the value of keeping the tree.
Special consideration shall be afforded public trees determined by the Community Services Commission to be heritage trees. Such trees shall be removed only when public interest served by removal outweighs the interest in preservation and heritage status.
(G) During the construction, repair, alteration, moving or removal of any building or structure or any other type of construction in the city, no person in control of such work shall leave any public tree, shrub or plant in the vicinity of such activity without sufficient guards or protectors as identified in the tree policy manual to prevent injury to the tree, shrub, or plant in connection with such construction, repair, or alteration, moving or removal. The costs of any such protection shall be borne by the person responsible for the improvement.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4796010; v13 updated 2026-02-04; through 02-04-2026).
Full Breakdown
Indio Municipal Code § 98.01 defines a heritage tree as any tree within the city's easement or on city-owned property found to be of significance to the community or of notable historic interest, with the designation made by the Community Services Commission acting as the city's Tree Advisory Board. Once a public tree carries that status, § 98.09(F) requires special consideration before it comes down: a heritage tree may be removed only when the public interest served by removal outweighs the interest in preserving it, on top of the standard removal permit every public tree already requires under § 98.07.
Violations & Fines
Removing a heritage tree without meeting the public-interest test, or without the underlying § 98.07 permit, is unlawful and can bring a misdemeanor or infraction charge plus a civil penalty up to $1,000 under § 98.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides which Indio trees are "heritage trees"?
Can a heritage tree just be cut down?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Indio
California rules heatmap·Compare Indio to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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Heritage & Protected Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle heritage & protected trees.