Tree Protection in San Antonio, TX (2026)
5 verified tree protection rules for San Antonio, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal Permits
Tree removal permits are required under UDC § 35-477 before any activity that may result in the removal of significant or heritage trees. The City Arborist reviews applications within 30 days. A pre-construction conference with the arborist is mandatory before permitted work begins. The tree preservation ordinance applies to all private property within city limits and the ETJ. First adopted in 1997, the ordinance has been amended multiple times through 2015.
San Antonio Tree Removal Permit Rules
Heavy RestrictionsHeritage & Protected Trees
Heritage trees in San Antonio are defined as any tree measuring 24 inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH) under UDC § 35-523. Heritage trees must be preserved at 100% — removal is only permitted with mitigation approved by the Tree Preservation Commission. Multi-trunk trees are measured with the largest trunk at full DBH plus 50% of the remaining trunks. Fees for heritage tree removal are in UDC Appendix C (§ 35-C110).
San Antonio Heritage & Protected Tree Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTree Replacement Requirements
When protected trees are removed beyond the minimum 35% preservation requirement in San Antonio, the excess removal must be properly mitigated under UDC § 35-523. The Tree Preservation Commission may recommend replacement plantings, a cash payment to the city's tree mitigation fund for future public plantings, or denial of the application. All oak tree cuts must be painted within 30 minutes, and pruning of oaks should be minimized February 1 through July 1 due to oak wilt risk.
San Antonio Tree Replacement Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsTree Ordinances
San Antonio has a comprehensive Tree Preservation Ordinance under UDC Section 35-523. Trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 8 inches or more are considered significant and are protected during development. Heritage trees (24 inches DBH or greater, or certain species at 10 inches DBH) receive the highest level of protection and generally cannot be removed.
San Antonio Tree Preservation Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsProtected Tree Species
San Antonio Unified Development Code Section 35-523 protects significant trees six inches DBH and larger and heritage trees 24 inches and larger, with elevated mitigation multipliers for native live oak, post oak, bald cypress, and pecan. It is among the strongest tree-preservation ordinances in Texas.
San Antonio UDC 35-523 Protects Heritage Oaks and Native Species
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Bexar County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Antonio city rules.
Tree Protection in Bexar County →