Rialto, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Under RMC 11.08.030, the public services director develops and maintains a street tree plan, approved by the city council on the recreation and social services commission's recommendation, that includes a master list of trees approved for planting in city streets and parkways. That plan also sets the rules for planting, location, spacing and maintenance of each listed species. The director then designates the specific kind and variety of tree, and the location, spacing and planting procedure, for any given street, park, parkway or public property.

No person may plant or install a tree in a parkway, street, park or other public property that doesn't match the type, variety, location and spacing the director designated for that area. A property owner whose street hasn't been assigned a species yet, or who disagrees with the assigned species, can petition the director for a change; an unsatisfied owner can appeal to the city administrator, then to the recreation and social services commission, which has the authority to change the designation, and from there to the city council.

Planting is only half the chapter's reach. RMC 11.08.040 makes nonresidential property owners responsible for irrigating abutting street trees, and residential owners responsible for adequate watering. RMC 11.08.070 separately requires the director's written permission before anyone plants or removes a street tree, valid for thirty days from issuance. Damaging a public tree triggers reimbursement liability for its value and replacement cost under RMC 11.08.080, and RMC 11.08.090 makes it unlawful to destroy, deface or injure a public tree, or to let deleterious substances like oil or dye seep into the soil around one.