Haltom City, TX Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Unlike Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas, Haltom City does not currently enforce a broad protected-tree or heritage-tree ordinance on single family residential lots. Homeowners can generally remove unwanted or hazardous trees from their private property without a city permit, subject to any contractual HOA restrictions. Trees within the public right of way, city parks, greenbelts, or floodplain corridors are protected and cannot be removed without coordination with the Public Works or Parks departments. Commercial and multifamily development sites are required to meet landscape ordinance tree-planting and preservation standards as part of site plan approval; removing a required landscape tree without replacement can trigger replacement and fines. Developers proposing to clear a parcel must address tree protection during site plan review, and trees protected by plat note or development agreement cannot be cut without amendment. Under Texas Property Code 202.007 (SB 1168 style protections), HOAs cannot prohibit homeowners from using drought-tolerant landscaping and have limited authority to bar tree removal when the tree threatens the structure. Hazard trees leaning over utility lines should be reported to Oncor; utilities retain easement rights to trim or remove as needed.