Riverside County Ordinance No. 559 (Oak Tree Preservation) requires permits to remove native oak trees with a trunk diameter of 6 inches or more at 4.5 feet above grade. Western sycamores and certain other natives are also protected in Western Riverside MSHCP areas. Permits are processed through the Planning Department.
Riverside County protects native oak trees through Ordinance No. 559, which requires an Oak Tree Removal Permit for the removal, relocation, or significant pruning (more than 25% of the canopy) of any oak with a trunk diameter of 6 inches or greater measured 4.5 feet above grade (DBH). Protected species include Engelmann oak (Quercus engelmannii), coast live oak (Q. agrifolia), California black oak (Q. kelloggii), and valley oak (Q. lobata). Western sycamores (Platanus racemosa) and other native species are additionally protected under the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP). Applications are submitted to the Riverside County Planning Department with a site plan, arborist report, and replacement plan. Permit fees range from approximately $500-$2,500 depending on project scope. Dead, diseased, or hazardous trees may qualify for an emergency removal with certified arborist documentation. Unauthorized removal carries fines up to $10,000 per tree plus mitigation replacement at ratios of 3:1 to 10:1. Cal Fire also regulates tree work in State Responsibility Areas during fire season.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Riverside County code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Anza, CA
Anza is an unincorporated community in Riverside County governed by Riverside County Ordinance 787 (Fire Code) and the California Fire Code §307. Backyard re...
Riverside County, CA
California Penal Code section 647(c) prohibits accosting people for money in public. Riverside County supplements the state rule with Ordinance 743 restricti...
Riverside County, CA
Riverside County Ordinance 847 allows the Sheriff to declare a gathering an unruly disturbance and bill responsible parties for response costs. Repeat unruly...
Riverside County, CA
California Government Code section 7597 bans smoking in state parks and beaches. Riverside County Ordinance 539 prohibits smoking in regional parks and open ...
Riverside County, CA
California Health and Safety Code section 11362.3 prohibits smoking or consuming cannabis in public places. Riverside County applies the rule across unincorp...
Riverside County, CA
California Business and Professions Code section 25620 prohibits possession of an open alcoholic beverage container in public places. Riverside County Ordina...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle tree removal permits.
See how Anza's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.