Chino, CA Tree Protection: Protected Tree Species (2026)

Chino sits at the western edge of the Puente-Chino Hills wildlife corridor and is adjacent to Chino Hills State Park, where native coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), California sycamore (Platanus racemosa), California black walnut (Juglans californica), and toyon stands occur. Inside the City of Chino municipal limits, however, the municipal code contains no list of protected native species and no permit pathway for routine removal of a native tree on private property. Development projects involving more than de minimis oak woodland impacts must analyze impacts under CEQA and, where applicable, the Oak Woodlands Conservation Act. Riparian vegetation along Chino Creek and Cucamonga Creek is regulated by California Department of Fish and Wildlife under Fish & Game Code §§1600-1616 (Streambed Alteration Agreements) and by the Regional Water Quality Control Board (Santa Ana Region) under the Clean Water Act §401 certification — these are state/federal layers, not city code. The Chino Basin and Prado Basin (downstream) habitat plans are administered by the Chino Basin Conservation Fund, not the city.