How San Antonio Handles Tree Protection: A Practical Guide

San Antonio maintains 213 local ordinances across all categories, and 3 of those deal specifically with tree protection. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where San Antonio falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Parkway Planting

San Antonio requires street trees along the public right-of-way whenever a development adds five or more parking spaces or goes through subdivision review. Sec. 35-512 sets spacing by overhead utility clearance: one large tree every 50 feet with no utility conflict, or a medium or small tree every 30 feet under lines, planted in a twelve-foot strip and irrigated for three years.

Key details: Trigger: 5+ parking spaces or subdivision plat review. Large-tree spacing: 1 tree every 50 feet, 3 feet off curb. Maximum spacing: 100 feet on center under any option. Irrigation duration: 3 years minimum for establishment. Enforcing agency: Development Services / city arborist.

Streetscape planting sits in UDC Article V, so noncompliance carries the Article V penalty schedule under Sec. 35-491(c): a criminal fine of $25 to $500 per day the violation continues, plus a possible civil penalty up to $1,000. In practice, Development Services withholds plat, site plan or building permit approval until the required street trees are shown and bonded, so the more common consequence is a stalled permit rather than a citation.

Protected Tree Species

San Antonio protects any tree of six inches or greater trunk diameter as a 'significant tree,' but five hardy natives, Ashe juniper, huisache, mesquite, Arizona ash and hackberry, need 10 inches before they count, while six ornamentals like Texas persimmon and redbud qualify at just five inches. Sec. 35-523(f)(1)(A) sets the species-specific list that drives every tree permit review.

Key details: Default significant threshold: 6 inches DBH. Hardy natives threshold: 10 inches DBH (juniper, mesquite, hackberry). Ornamental species threshold: 5 inches DBH. Preservation floor: 35% single-family, 40% multi-family/nonres. Mitigation ratio: 1:1 caliper-inch replacement.

Removing or damaging a significant tree outside the permitted preservation and mitigation plan violates Sec. 35-493(a), triggering the Article V penalty in Sec. 35-491(c): a $25 to $500 fine for every day the violation continues plus a possible civil penalty up to $1,000. Anyone who starts grading, clearing or construction before the tree permit is issued owes the separate $2,000 minimum fee set by Sec. 35-493(c).

Heritage & Protected Trees

San Antonio classifies a tree as a heritage tree once it reaches 24 inches in trunk diameter, or just 12 inches for six ornamental natives like Texas persimmon and Texas mountain laurel. Table 523-1A then requires developers to preserve 100 percent of heritage trees on a platted lot or project site, the strictest standard in the tree preservation ordinance.

Key details: Standard heritage threshold: 24 inches DBH. Small-species threshold: 12 inches DBH (6 listed natives). Preservation requirement: 100% per platted lot or site. Replacement ratio: 3:1 caliper inches (1:1 for 5 species). Minimum preserved, no mitigation: 20% of pre-development canopy.

Removing a heritage tree without the required permit and mitigation is a violation under Sec. 35-493(a), carrying the same $25 to $500 daily criminal fine and civil penalty up to $1,000 as any tree preservation violation, plus the Sec. 35-493(c) minimum $2,000 fee if work started before the tree permit issued. Replacement trees that die within a warranty period must be replaced within 90 days of city notice or the fee schedule applies again.

Compared to other cities, San Antonio takes a harder line on heritage & protected trees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

San Antonio's tree protection rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming San Antonio is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that San Antonio can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.