Tree removal permit rules in Bexar County, TX — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Unincorporated Bexar County does not require tree-removal permits. San Antonio's UDC regulates significant and heritage trees on development sites with mitigation when removed.
Bexar County has no countywide tree ordinance for unincorporated private property, so homeowners can remove trees without county approval, subject to HOA covenants and easement restrictions. San Antonio's Unified Development Code Section 35-523 regulates trees on development and platting activities and distinguishes Significant Trees at 24-inch diameter and Heritage Trees at 36-inch diameter or larger for certain protected species like live oak, bald cypress, and pecan. Removal without a permit on regulated sites can result in mitigation at a 3-to-1 or greater inch-per-inch replacement ratio and fines. CPS Energy and right-of-way agents may remove trees that threaten public infrastructure. Property owners on the Edwards Aquifer recharge zone must avoid damaging recharge features during tree and stump removal, and projects disturbing more than one acre need a TCEQ Edwards Aquifer Protection Plan. Diseased oaks infected with oak wilt should be removed carefully with guidance from a certified arborist to avoid spreading the fungus.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Bexar County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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