YardCareDirectory

Texas Tree Removal Permit Requirements

LOCAL RULES VARY

No statewide permit requirement. Texas has significant municipal variation — Austin leads the nation in tree protection while rural Texas has virtually no regulation.

Issuing authority: City development services or urban forestry
Permit Fee
$65–$500 in regulated cities
Processing Time
5–21 business days
Protected Species
4
City Rules Listed
4
Protected Species in TX
Pecan (state tree)Live OakTexas Mountain LaurelTexas Redbud
These species commonly trigger permit requirements or stricter review in Texas jurisdictions. Check with your specific city — protections vary by municipality.
Common Exemptions
  • +Dead and dying trees (documentation required)
  • +Trees under 8 inches DBH in most cities
  • +Non-native invasive species

Exemptions still often require documentation. Bring photos, contractor assessments, or an ISA-certified arborist report to support a hazard or disease claim.

Heritage Trees

Austin and San Antonio have formal heritage tree registers. Austin's Heritage Tree designation makes removal nearly impossible without council action.

Penalties for Unpermitted Removal

Austin fines for unpermitted removal: $500–$2,500 per tree plus full mitigation cost. San Antonio fines up to $2,000. Houston and Dallas fines are lower.

Rules by City in Texas

Austin

Protected trees (native trees over 19 inches DBH, Heritage Trees over 24 inches DBH) require permits. Heritage Tree removal requires City Council approval.

Fee: $65 application + mitigation fees that can reach thousandsAustin has the most comprehensive tree protection in Texas and one of the strictest in the US.
San Antonio

Protected trees (over 10 inches DBH for most native species, 6 inches DBH for oaks) require permits.

Fee: $100–$300San Antonio's tree protection ordinance is strong, particularly for oaks and pecans.
Dallas

Regulated trees (over 8 inches DBH) require permits in most zones. Development sites require tree surveys.

Fee: $50–$150Dallas has an Urban Forest Master Plan.
Houston

No citywide tree ordinance for private property. Individual deed restrictions and HOA rules vary widely.

Houston is unusual among major Texas cities for having no general tree removal permit requirement.
Tips for Texas Homeowners
  1. Austin's Heritage Tree program means removal of a qualifying tree may be impossible regardless of property rights — check designation before purchasing any Austin property with large trees.
  2. Houston is the rare Texas exception — private property removal generally requires no permit city-wide.
  3. Texas oak wilt quarantine rules affect how live oak debris can be moved or stored.
HOA Consideration: Texas has a very active HOA culture, particularly in Austin, San Antonio, and DFW suburbs. HOA tree removal restrictions often exceed city requirements.
Find tree services in Texas that handle permits
Licensed professionals know local rules and will pull permits for you.
Tree Services in Texas