San Jacinto, CA Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

The street tree standard sits in Chapter 12.04, Sidewalk Construction, of the San Jacinto Municipal Code, not in a stand-alone planting ordinance. Section 12.04.030 lets an applicant satisfy the improvement requirement of § 12.04.020 by installing concrete curbs and gutters, sidewalks and paving from curbline to match the existing paving on the proximate side of each public street the lot abuts, plus curb returns at intersections, as set by the director of public works. The applicant also shall plant and/or maintain one tree for each lot with a frontage width of less than sixty-one (61) feet. A lot sixty-one (61) feet or greater in width shall plant and/or maintain one tree for every sixty (60) feet of frontage, adjacent to the sidewalk, if the director of public works determines that space is available. The required improvements must meet the specifications set by ordinance or resolution of the city council.

Section 12.04.020 says when the duty applies. Before issuing a permit, the building official must be satisfied that the improvements are installed or security is posted for any improvement, except exempt ones, on a newly created or undeveloped lot; for improvements that cumulatively, during the past three years, exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the valuation of all improvements on the property; and for any addition of floor area for human use or habitation that equals or exceeds two hundred fifty (250) square feet.

Security is allowed in place of immediate installation. Under § 12.04.040 the applicant can deposit cash or a bond or letter of credit satisfactory to the city attorney, in an amount the director of public works sets for surveying, engineering, grading and installation plus an additional ten percent of the total preliminary estimate. If the applicant fails to install the work, the city does it from the deposit, and any shortfall becomes a lien on the property.

Section 12.04.060 exempts, among others, nonhabitable accessory buildings four hundred (400) square feet or less on lots twenty thousand (20,000) square feet or less zoned single-family/two-family residential where one such building does not already exist. Trees on public streets, once planted, are protected by Chapter 12.20: § 12.20.040 bars anyone not authorized from planting, burning, mutilating, injuring, destroying or removing a tree or shrub on public streets or parking places in the city.