Harlingen, TX Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Harlingen, 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
- Protected size
- 24-in circumference / 8-in caliper
- Permit lead time
- 5 working days before removal
- Replacement ratio
- 2 trees (4-in caliper) per removal
- Build-around credit
- 200 sq ft landscaping credit
- Exempt trees
- Fallen or hazard trees
Summary
Harlingen designates trees 24+ inches in circumference (8-inch caliper) as protected and requires mitigation, build-around credit, transplant, or replacement planting, before removal, plus a city permit on nonresidential sites without a building permit.
Any tree measuring 24 inches or more in circumference or with a caliper of eight inches or more will be considered a protected tree and may not be removed unless one of the following mitigation conditions is met... Cut down the tree and plant two trees of at least four inches caliper (or four trees of at least two-inch caliper) for each tree removed either on the subject property or on public property.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4546847; v3 updated 2025-07-16).
Full Breakdown
Under § 111-245, any tree at least 24 inches in circumference or 8 inches in caliper is a protected tree that may not be removed unless the owner builds around it (earning a 200-square-foot landscaping credit), transplants it elsewhere on the property, or cuts it down and plants two 4-inch-caliper replacement trees (or four 2-inch-caliper trees). On nonresidential sites where no building permit is required, a tree-removal permit application must go to the planning and development department at least five working days before removal, listing the applicant, property owner, tree tagging/inspection details, reason for removal, and chosen mitigation method. Trees that fell naturally or pose a safety hazard, as determined by the planning director, are exempt.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor under the zoning chapter's general penalty (§ 111-2); a denied permit triggers a written denial explaining alternatives, appealable under § 111-442.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a small tree in Harlingen?
What if I just want to remove a protected tree outright?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harlingen
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Harlingen to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle tree removal & heritage trees.