Tree removal permit rules in Plano, TX — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Plano homeowners generally need no permit to remove trees from a single-family lot. Commercial, multifamily, and new-construction sites must follow a tree preservation plan and mitigate protected trees.
The Plano Zoning Ordinance includes a tree preservation and mitigation article that applies to non-single-family development, subdivisions, and any site undergoing a development review. Protected trees are typically those 6 inches in diameter and larger (DBH) for most species, with a lower threshold for specimen and heritage trees. When a protected tree must be removed, the developer submits a tree survey and preservation plan and either replaces the tree caliper-inch for caliper-inch on site or pays into the Plano Reforestation Fund. On developed single-family residential lots, homeowners may generally remove trees in their own yard without a permit, though HOAs and deed restrictions often impose tighter rules. Removal of any tree in a public park, street right-of-way, or floodplain easement requires city approval. Illegal removal of a protected tree on a regulated site can trigger double mitigation and stop-work orders.
Unpermitted removal on regulated sites: caliper-inch mitigation doubled, fines, and stop-work. Single-family residential removals generally not penalized unless in an easement or right-of-way.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Collin County.
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