Perris, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Who designates
- urban forestry board
- Who can nominate
- the property owner
- Removal
- board petition only, on merit
- Basis
- age, size, species, location, or historic value
Summary
Perris lets the urban forestry board designate landmark 'heritage trees' that may not be harmed, with removal allowed only by board petition on the merits.
Heritage tree means a tree or a stand of trees that is designated to be of landmark importance by the urban forestry board due to age, size, species, location and/or ecological, cultural or historic importance that may not be harmed, and for which removal can only be granted by petition to the urban forestry board upon merit.
Landscape design guidelines and technical manual means section 19.70.040, which describes landscaping requirements by development type and location. The separate technical manual is an appendix that includes irrigation, landscape and planting detail sheets, water use classifications of landscape species (WUCOLS), and the approved tree list as adopted by the city. Reference to detail sheets shall be indicated as "Detail P-2," "Detail L-3," etc. This appendix will be referred to as the technical manual for landscape design.
Mitigation means the methods of tree replacement, direct costs, and/or retention used to lessen the environmental impact of development.
Mulch means organic material or rock placed over the soil surface of a planting area which serves the same function as leaf-litter in a natural forest environment.
Nuisance tree means an undesirable tree that by reason of aesthetics, disease, damage, location, or other valid reason is eligible for removal as determined by the director of public works, on the advice of the city arborist, or his designee.
PMC means the Perris Municipal Code.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13).
Full Breakdown
Perris Municipal Code § 19.71.020 defines a heritage tree as one 'designated to be of landmark importance by the urban forestry board due to age, size, species, location and/or ecological, cultural or historic importance that may not be harmed, and for which removal can only be granted by petition to the urban forestry board upon merit.' Under § 19.71.030(d), the designation process itself is set by the urban forestry board (the planning commission acting in that capacity), and trees may be nominated by the property owner for board approval. Removal of a designated heritage tree follows the protected-tree removal procedure in § 19.71.100.
Violations & Fines
Harming or removing a designated heritage tree without board approval is treated as unauthorized removal of a protected tree, carrying penalties under Chapter 19.71; deliberate damage is separately punishable per § 19.71.050(3)(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides which trees are heritage trees in Perris?
Can a heritage tree be removed in Perris?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Perris
California rules heatmap·Compare Perris 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.