Redlands, CA Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Designation section
- City Code Section 12.52.100
- Who may propose
- Any person or city agency
- Criteria source
- 'Landmark tree' definition in Section 12.52.020
- Cross-referenced code
- Historic resources, Chapter 2.62
- Construction guard
- 4-foot, 8-foot-square barrier required
Summary
Redlands protects historically or culturally significant public trees by designating them 'landmark trees,' a class of historic resource cross-referenced to City Code Chapter 2.62. Section 12.52.100 lets any person or city agency propose that a public tree meeting the landmark criteria in Section 12.52.020 be designated a city landmark, triggering the chapter's full protections against unpermitted removal, injury, or other work.
Any person or city agency may propose to the director that a public tree meets the criteria set forth in the definition of "landmark tree" in section 12.52.020 of this chapter and should be designated as a city landmark.
Full Breakdown
62 due to its historic or cultural significance and importance to the community: it must be one of the largest or oldest public trees of its species in the city, historically associated with a landmark building, site, street, person, or event, or an outstanding feature of a neighborhood. 100 opens the designation process to 'any person or city agency,' who may propose to the public works director that a specific public tree meets that definition and should carry landmark status. 090, alongside public, native, and specimen trees.
190 requires construction guards near it, specifically listing landmark trees among those that must be fenced with a barrier at least four feet high and eight feet square, or set back a distance equal to the trunk diameter, whichever is greater, keeping debris outside that barrier. 130 separately bars intentionally damaging, cutting, carving, or attaching anything to any publicly owned tree, landmark trees included, without the superintendent's authorization.
Violations & Fines
Damaging, removing, or performing unpermitted work on a designated landmark tree violates Sections 12.52.130 and 12.52.140(A), both listed as prohibited acts under Section 12.52.160. The city attorney may pursue the violation as a misdemeanor or an infraction under Section 12.52.220, and Sections 1.20.010 and 1.20.020 set the resulting penalty at up to $1,000 and six months in jail for a misdemeanor, or graduated infraction fines of $100, $200 and $500 for repeat offenses within a year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a tree in Redlands become an official landmark tree?
What extra protection does landmark status give a tree during nearby construction?
Can a private property owner have a tree on their own land declared a Redlands landmark tree?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redlands
California rules heatmap·Compare Redlands to another location·View the California tree protection overview
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