Invasive Plant Rules in San Antonio, TX (2026)
2 verified invasive plant rules for San Antonio, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Prohibited Species
San Antonio names eight non-native invasive tree species, including Chinese tallow, tree of heaven and salt cedar, as unprotected under its tree preservation ordinance. Sec. 35-523(f)(1)(C) excludes them from the tree survey entirely, so owners can remove them without a tree permit, mitigation, or counting them toward preservation percentages required for other species.
San Antonio's Unprotected Invasive Tree Species List
Few RestrictionsSan Antonio Unified Development Code § 35-523(f)(1)(C)
C.Non-native Trees. Non-native invasive tree species are not protected and will be omitted from the tree survey. Non-native invasive tree species means the following tree species:i.Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinesis);ii.Chinaberry (Melia azedarach);iii.Chinese Tallow (Sapium sebiferum);iv.Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima);v.Salt Cedar (Tamerix species).vi.Japanese Ligustrum (Ligustrum japon...
Tree-of-Heaven Removal
San Antonio's Unified Development Code excludes Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) from tree preservation protection. Owners and developers may remove it without a tree permit, mitigation payment, or arborist variance, and it never counts toward the city's minimum final tree canopy requirements, unlike native significant and heritage species that trigger permitting and civil penalties up to $2,000.
San Antonio Tree of Heaven Gets No Preservation Protection
Few RestrictionsSan Antonio Unified Development Code Sec. 35-523(f)(1)C
C.Non-native Trees. Non-native invasive tree species are not protected and will be omitted from the tree survey. Non-native invasive tree species means the following tree species:i.Chinese Pistache (Pistacia chinesis);ii.Chinaberry (Melia azedarach);iii.Chinese Tallow (Sapium sebiferum);iv.Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima);v.Salt Cedar (Tamerix species)...vii.Nandina (Nandina domestica);viii...
Looking for Bexar County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Antonio city rules.
Invasive Plant Rules in Bexar County →