Leander, TX Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Leander, 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
- Significant Tree threshold
- 8+ caliper inches
- Heritage Tree removal
- Needs Council-approved permit
- Mitigation fee
- $150-$300 per caliper inch
- Applies to
- Platting, site permits, building permits
Summary
Leander requires a city permit before any Significant or Heritage Tree is removed from property undergoing platting, site development, or building permits, with mitigation replanting or fees.
Unless otherwise allowed by this Ordinance, no property shall be clear-cut or selectively cleared, nor shall a Significant Tree or Heritage Tree be removed from a property for which subdivision construction plans, a site development permit, or a building permit is required by the code of ordinances, without first securing the necessary approval from the City... Mitigation shall be required at a 3:1 caliper inch basis for Heritage Trees and a mitigation fee in the amount of $300.00 per caliper inch removed.
Full Breakdown
Leander's Zoning Ordinance bars clear-cutting or removing a Significant Tree (8+ caliper inches) or Heritage Tree from property undergoing subdivision, site development, or building permitting without prior city approval. Heritage Tree removal needs a Heritage Tree Removal Permit reviewed by the Planning & Zoning Commission and approved by City Council; Significant Tree removal generally needs the Director of Planning's approved tree preservation plan. Removing a protected tree triggers mitigation -- replacement trees at a 1:1 to 3:1 caliper-inch ratio depending on tree size and type, or a payment of $150-$300 per caliper inch in lieu of replanting.
Violations & Fines
Removing a protected Significant or Heritage Tree without an approved permit blocks approval of site development or building permits for the property and can draw a $300-per-caliper-inch administrative penalty plus the ordinance's general fine of up to $2,000 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a large tree in Leander?
What happens if I remove a protected tree without approval?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Leander
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Williamson County handle tree removal & heritage trees.