Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 16.24 (Protected Plants) protects native Mojave Desert vegetation, with the Western Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) as the primary protected species. Joshua trees are additionally protected statewide as a candidate threatened species under the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act of 2023 (Fish & Game Code §1927 et seq.). Other commonly protected desert species in Hesperia development reviews include Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera), desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), juniper (Juniperus californica), and Joshua tree clonal groups. A Protected Plant Preservation Plan is required whenever development affects these species.
Hesperia sits within the western Mojave Desert and is one of the most Joshua-tree-dense jurisdictions in California. Hesperia MC §16.24 implements a city-level protection regime, and the city actively coordinates with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) on take permits for Western Joshua trees. The Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act (FGC §§1927-1927.6) makes it unlawful to remove, trim, damage, move, or kill a Western Joshua tree without a CDFW permit. Hesperia's Planning Division requires biological surveys identifying protected plants for discretionary projects, and disposition of trees follows a transplant-first hierarchy.
Take of a Western Joshua tree without a CDFW permit can result in civil penalties under Fish & Game Code §12000 and revocation of city entitlements. Damaging other protected native plants in violation of Hesperia MC Ch. 16.24 can lead to bond forfeiture and stop-work orders.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Hesperia, CA
Hesperia's Development Code (Title 16) does not prohibit residential artificial turf. State law (AB 1164, codified at Cal. Government Code §53087.7) prohibit...
Hesperia, CA
Hesperia, as a contract law-enforcement city in San Bernardino County, defers minor-curfew enforcement to San Bernardino County Code of Ordinances §13.0301 —...
Hesperia, CA
Hesperia treats door-to-door soliciting under its general business-license regime in Hesperia Municipal Code Title 5 (Business Licenses and Regulations) — co...
Hesperia, CA
Hesperia regulates food trucks under Hesperia Municipal Code Chapter 5.26 (Mobile Food Vehicles, Ice Cream Trucks and Sidewalk Vendors), adopted as Ordinance...
Hesperia, CA
Hesperia parks are operated by the Hesperia Recreation and Park District (a separate special district, not the city). The Hesperia Municipal Code has no Titl...
Hesperia, CA
Commercial drone work in Hesperia is governed by FAA 14 CFR Part 107 — operators must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate, register the drone, comply with Remote...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Bernardino County.
See how other cities in San Bernardino County handle protected tree species.
See how Hesperia's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.