Celina, TX Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Celina, TX, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Yes, before removal or critical alteration
- Governing section
- City Code § 14.04.210
- Mitigation ratio (Type 1)
- 5:1 replacement, 100% value
- Appeal body
- Planning & Zoning Commission (as tree board)
- Enforcement
- Class C misdemeanor, daily fines
Summary
Celina requires a permit before removing or critically altering any protected tree, backed by a tree fund mitigation fee.
Prior to the removal or the critical alteration of any protected tree in the city, an application for a tree removal permit must be submitted and approved, unless otherwise exempt under a provision of the ordinance from which this section derives. ... The burden shall be upon the applicant to show the necessity for any and all trees proposed for removal.
Full Breakdown
Before removing or critically altering a protected tree anywhere in Celina, an applicant must submit and get city approval for a tree removal permit, per City Code § 14.04.210(a). The application must include a tree survey, and the applicant bears the burden of showing the removal is necessary. Removal triggers a mitigation fee into the city's tree fund (or replacement trees, with director approval) under a tiered valuation schedule. Type 1 species like oaks and pecans are valued at 100% with a 5:1 replacement ratio, Type 2 at 50% with 3:1, and Type 3 at 10% with 1:1. The director must deny an application if removal isn't reasonably required, a reasonable accommodation could preserve the tree, or the tree's species, age, or rarity warrants extra protection. Fees and permits must be resolved before grading, development permits, or a certificate of occupancy issue.
Violations & Fines
Class C misdemeanor; fine up to the amount set in the master fee schedule, with each unpermitted removal and each day unreplaced treated as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove a protected tree in Celina without a permit?
What happens if I remove a protected tree without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Celina
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Celina to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Collin County handle tree removal & heritage trees.