Riverside, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Riverside Municipal Code Chapter 13.25 governs all planting, removal, and trimming of trees in the public right-of-way, which includes the parkway strip in front of every residence. Under the Master Urban Forest Plan, each block in the city has been pre-evaluated and assigned a designated species by the Park and Recreation Commission. Residents wishing to plant a parkway tree must submit a Tree Planting Request Form to Public Works; Public Works then plants the City-designated species at the City-determined location. The Urban Forestry Policy Manual sets a hard ceiling of 5% per species citywide to ensure biodiversity. Tree selection criteria include drought and heat tolerance (critical for Inland Empire conditions), low allergenic profile, native California origin where feasible, strong branch structure, and low maintenance need. Approved species across the Master List include drought-tolerant choices such as Chitalpa tashkentensis, Lagerstroemia indica (crape myrtle), Pyrus calleryana, Fraxinus velutina (Arizona ash), Washingtonia filifera (California fan palm), Tabebuia avellanedae, and various Magnolia cultivars, with assignments varying by parkway width (2 ft, 3 ft, 5 ft, 8 ft+) and overhead utility presence.