How to apply for a tree removal permit in Houston, Texas

A 5-step walkthrough drawn from Houston's tree-protection ordinance. For the underlying DBH thresholds, protected-species list, and full fee schedule, see the city ordinance page.

Expected processing time: 3-6 weeks. Plan removal timing accordingly — emergency-tree provisions may differ.

  1. 1

    Determine if your tree is regulated

    Trees at or above 6" DBH (diameter at breast height) are regulated. Qualified tree: any living tree 6 inches DBH or greater on private development property. Trees in the public right-of-way are regulated regardless of size.

  2. 2

    Determine who must apply

    Eligible applicants in Houston: Property owner or authorized developer.

  3. 3

    Prepare your assessment report

    Prepare a tree assessment report covering tree species, condition, defects, and proposed action. Required certifications: ISA Certified Arborist recommended.

  4. 4

    Submit to the permitting department

    Submit your application and assessment report to Department of Planning & Development. Typical processing time: 3-6 weeks. Reference the full ordinance at https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH33PL.

    View the full Houston ordinance

  5. 5

    Plan for replacement obligations

    Replacement ratio: Based on caliper inches removed (site-specific). Trees replaced on-site or mitigation fees paid to Houston Parks Board Tree Mitigation Bank.

Where to file

Department of Planning & Development

(832) 393-6600

Other Texas permit walkthroughs

See Texas replacement obligations compared — how Houston's replacement ratio ranks against the rest of the state.

Compare with nearby cities

Need an arborist report for your Houston permit?

Capture an ISA TRAQ Level 1, 2, or 3 assessment in the field and export a municipality-ready PDF that fits Houston's required report sections. Free, no account required.

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