Unlike many California cities, Riverside does not maintain a separately codified "heritage tree" registry within its Municipal Code. Tree-of-cultural-significance protection is achieved indirectly through Chapter 13.25 (public right-of-way trees), the Urban Forestry Policy Manual, and Title 20 Cultural Resources for landmark-designated properties. The County's Ordinance 559 protects native trees on large rural parcels.
Riverside's Municipal Code does not contain a dedicated chapter creating a numbered Heritage Tree registry (compare to Temecula Mun. Code §8.48.160 or Pasadena's specimen-tree code). Instead, the City protects culturally and historically significant trees through three overlapping mechanisms: (1) Chapter 13.25 of the Municipal Code, which gives the City exclusive authority over removal of all trees in the public right-of-way and public parks, including landmark specimens like the parent navel orange tree at Magnolia and Arlington; (2) the Urban Forestry Policy Manual, administered by Public Works and the Park and Recreation Commission, which classifies City trees by significance and limits removal of mature specimens; and (3) Title 20 — Cultural Resources, under which trees on a designated Cultural Heritage Landmark site are reviewed as part of any Certificate of Appropriateness. Property owners seeking actual heritage designation for an individual tree should petition through the Cultural Heritage Board.
Damage or removal of a tree on a designated Cultural Heritage Landmark site without a Certificate of Appropriateness is enforceable under Title 20 and Municipal Code general penalty provisions (infraction up to $500, or misdemeanor up to $1,000 / 6 months). Right-of-way violations follow Chapter 13.25 enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Riverside, CA
RMC §7.35.010(B)(10) bars vehicle/motorcycle/motorboat/aircraft repair, rebuilding, modifying, or testing that disturbs across a residential line. Powered mo...
Riverside, CA
Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 19.550 prohibits hazardous fence materials such as barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in residential zones, an...
Riverside, CA
California SB 946 (Gov. Code §§ 51036-51039) decriminalized sidewalk vending statewide; cities may regulate but not ban outright. Riverside requires a Sidewa...
Riverside, CA
Riverside Municipal Code § 9.08.090 prohibits model airplane flying, model rockets, and 'any game of a hazardous nature' inside any City park except where sp...
Riverside, CA
Since July 1, 2022, Riverside's green cart is a combined organics cart: yard trimmings AND bagged food scraps go in the same brown-body/green-lid container p...
Riverside, CA
Dumping trash, furniture, mattresses, construction debris, or yard waste on any street, lot, alley, or wash within Riverside violates both Riverside Municipa...
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