Denton Tree Removal Permit & Ordinance Guide
Denton County, Texas
Protected Tree Definition
Protected tree: 6 inches DBH or greater on development sites. Heritage and historic trees (24+ inches DBH of qualifying species) receive enhanced protection.
Heritage / Landmark Trees
Heritage trees: 24+ inches DBH of qualifying native species (post oak, live oak, pecan, cedar elm, bur oak). Historic trees individually designated by the city.
Permit Requirements
Tree Preservation Plan and Tree Survey required during development review (plat, site plan, building permit). Tree removal permits required for protected trees.
Who can apply: Property owner or authorized agent with ISA Certified Arborist report
Required Report Sections
Tree survey with species, DBH, condition, canopy dripline, retention plan, mitigation calculation
Replacement Requirements
Caliper-inch mitigation based on removed DBH
On-site replacement preferred; payment to Tree Mitigation Fund when infeasible.
Fees & Fines
Processing Time
4-6 weeks
Required Certifications
ISA Certified Arborist
Municipal Code
Denton Development Code Subchapter 7 (Environmentally Sensitive Areas and Tree Preservation)
View full ordinanceContact
Development Services Department
(940) 349-8541
Nearby Cities in Denton County
Other Texas cities
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Data last verified: April 2026. This information is provided as a reference. Always verify requirements directly with Denton before submitting permits or reports.
Ready to apply? How to apply for a permit in Denton →
See Texas replacement obligations compared: How Denton's replacement ratio ranks in Texas →
See Texas heritage criteria compared: How Denton's heritage designation ranks in Texas →
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