Texas Tree Ordinances
Tree removal permits, protected species, and statute citations for 31 Texas cities.
Texas tree regulation in plain terms
Texas tree ordinances get complicated by HB 7 (2017), which preempts cities from banning tree removal outright but allows them to require permits, replacement, or credits. Most large Texas cities (Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio) still have active tree protection ordinances — the preemption affected absolute prohibitions, not the permit system.
Drought stress is the elephant in the room. Central Texas post-oaks and live oaks failed hazard trees more often after the 2011-2015 drought, and most major cities added hazard tree exemptions that let you remove a dead or dying tree with an arborist letter instead of a full permit. If your tree is clearly declining, document it before you cut.
Cities with published ordinances (31)
Abilene
Taylor County
Amarillo
Potter County
Arlington
Tarrant County
Austin
Travis County
Beaumont
Jefferson County
Carrollton
Denton County
College Station
Brazos County
Corpus Christi
Nueces County
Dallas
Dallas County
Denton
Denton County
El Paso
El Paso County
Fort Worth
Tarrant County
Frisco
Collin County
Garland
Dallas County
Grand Prairie
Dallas County
Houston
Harris County
Irving
Dallas County
Killeen
Bell County
League City
Galveston County
Lubbock
Lubbock County
McKinney
Collin County
Mesquite
Dallas County
Midland
Midland County
Pearland
Brazoria County
Plano
Collin County
Richardson
Dallas County
Round Rock
Williamson County
San Antonio
Bexar County
Sugar Land
Fort Bend County
Tyler
Smith County
Waco
McLennan County
Texas statutes and primary sources
Frequent questions about Texas tree rules
Did HB 7 end Texas tree removal permits?
No. HB 7 prohibits cities from banning residential tree removal outright but allows permit requirements and replacement/credit programs. Austin, Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio still require permits for protected trees.
What counts as a protected tree in Texas cities?
Definitions vary. Austin protects trees 19" DBH and above (heritage at 24"). Dallas uses 8" DBH for residential lots. Houston uses 8" DBH for commercial and 13" for residential. Always check the specific municipal code.
Are hazard trees exempt from Texas permits?
In most major Texas cities, yes — but you typically need an ISA Certified Arborist letter documenting the hazard before removal. Post-2011 drought, this became the most common removal pathway for declining live oaks and post-oaks.
What is a tree mitigation credit in Texas?
A bank of tree diameter inches a property owner can earn by preserving or planting trees, usable against future removal permits. Texas LGC §212.905 authorizes cities to operate these programs.
Do I need an ISA Certified Arborist for a Texas tree report?
Most major Texas cities require or strongly prefer ISA Certified Arborist credentials on protected tree removal applications. Hazard tree letters almost always require ISA certification.
Need a tree report for a Texas city?
Start your free TRAQ assessment — we guide you through the specific permit your city needs.