Tree Protection in Pearland, TX (2026)
3 verified tree protection rules for Pearland, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Heritage & Protected Trees
Pearland's tree code defines a heritage tree as a significant tree (36-inch circumference or more) standing in the Old Town Site, a state-designated historical site, or the floodplain, and caps unpermitted trimming of its branches at one inch in diameter.
Pearland Heritage Tree Definition and Trim Limits
Some RestrictionsPearland Code of Ordinances § 29½-22 (Definitions, heritage tree); § 29½-24(b)(2) (Applicability, heritage tree exemption)
(5)Heritage tree means a significant tree located on a state designated historical site, within the Old Town Site, or within the floodplain. ... Those persons who own or control real property located within the Old Town Site, the floodplain, or an historical site, duly designated as such by the State of Texas, are exempt from the provisions of this article and shall not be required to submit a ...
Protected Tree Species
Pearland's Unified Development Code sorts regulated trees into four classes by trunk diameter: Protected Trees drawn from the City's Protected Tree List, Large Trees at 12 inches DBH or more, Heritage Trees at 24 inches DBH or more, and Replacement/Qualified Trees at a minimum 2-inch DBH. The classification determines which trees a permit is required to remove.
Pearland Protected Tree Species Classification Rules
Some RestrictionsPearland Unified Development Code § 4.2.3.2(9)(a)-(d)
(9) Tree: A woody plant having one well-defined stem or trunk, a defined crown and a mature height of at least eight (8) feet... Trees defined include: (a) PROTECTED TREE: Any Large Tree that is identified on the Protected Tree List (available in the City Parks and Recreation Department) and that is located within the City; (b) LARGE TREE: Any tree with a diameter (DBH) of twelve inches (12") o...
Parkway Planting
Pearland's Unified Development Code sets fixed placement distances for trees planted in medians, easements and street rights-of-way. Replacement trees must sit at least 6.5 feet from a curb in a median, 10 feet from fire hydrants, 100 feet from intersections and 50 feet from mid-block street openings.
Pearland Street Tree Placement in Rights-of-Way
Some RestrictionsPearland Unified Development Code § 4.2.3.9(b)
(b) Easements and Rights-of-Way. (1) The location of replacement trees shall not be an area such that the mature canopy or roots of the tree will interfere with any public utility. (2) All replacement trees shall be planted no less than ten feet (10’) from fire hydrants. (3) Any replacement tree planted in a median must be located no less than six and one-half (6.5’) feet from the curb. (4) Any...
Looking for Brazoria County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pearland city rules.
Tree Protection in Brazoria County →