Tree removal permit rules in Austin, TX — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Unincorporated Travis County has no tree removal permit requirement. Austin has one of the strictest tree ordinances in Texas: Code 25-8-622 protects trees 19+ inches diameter, 24+ inch heritage species (oaks, elms, pecans, cypress). Removal requires permit, mitigation, or fee. Round Rock, Pflugerville, Cedar Park have lighter but similar rules.
Austin City Code 25-8-622 through 25-8-642 establishes protected tree (19+ inch DBH) and heritage tree (24+ inch DBH of 11 protected species) categories. Removal requires a permit from Development Services; fees scale with diameter. Replacement or fee-in-lieu mitigation is required. Emergency removal for hazard trees allowed with post-removal documentation. LDC amendments in 2019 and 2023 expanded protections. Unincorporated Travis County has no equivalent; property owners may remove trees freely absent HOA or deed restrictions. Many Hill Country HOAs (Steiner Ranch, River Place, West Rim) protect heritage oaks through deed restrictions. MUDs occasionally adopt tree preservation standards.
Austin unpermitted removal: up to 2,000 dollars per tree per day plus mandatory replacement (often 1:1 caliper inch). Heritage tree unpermitted removal: significantly higher, potential criminal mischief. HOA: per deed, typically 500-5,000 dollars plus replacement.
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See how Austin's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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