Ontario, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Sec. 07 sets the planting standards that apply whenever a parkway tree goes into an Ontario street right-of-way, whether as a replacement for a removed tree or a new planting. Stock must be of normal shape, not less than one inch in caliper at the base, and container stock cannot be root-bound or have serious root deformation from confinement. Trees must be staked as the City prescribes, spaced at approximately 60-foot intervals or one per lot frontage, with two or more allowed on the side frontage of corner lots, and never within 25 feet of a curb return; an owner may plant more of the same species if the variety allows and visual safety is not impaired.

Trees go in line with existing trees or midway between the back of curb and the sidewalk's near edge, and where a walk beyond the standard sidewalk is built, tree wells of at least four feet square are required around existing trees. No parkway tree may be planted abutting undeveloped, unoccupied property; if planting would otherwise be required there, the owner instead pays a cash-in-lieu deposit under Sec. 09, banked until the property is occupied. Commercial and industrial zone landscaping proposals that include street trees can be submitted in writing with a site plan.

The Public Facilities Manager keeps the Official Parkway Tree List, amended by Council resolution, which fixes the variety and planting-stock specifications required block by block, and Sec. 04 puts day-to-day watering and ground-level trimming duty on the abutting owner, with the City responsible for major pruning and pest and disease control.