Tree removal permit rules in San Antonio, TX — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
San Antonio Unified Development Code Sec. 35-523 requires a Tree Preservation Permit before removing any significant tree (6 inches DBH+) or heritage tree (24 inches DBH+), with mitigation at 1:1 or 3:1 ratio per Table 523-1A.
San Antonio's tree rules live in the Unified Development Code (UDC) Sec. 35-523 (Tree Preservation), administered by the City Arborist in Development Services. Significant trees (6 inches DBH+) and heritage trees (24 inches DBH+) cannot be removed without a Tree Preservation Permit under UDC Sec. 35-477 and Appendix B Sec. 35-B123. Table 523-1A sets minimum preservation/mitigation percentages by zoning district. Mitigation is 1:1 inch-for-inch for most trees and 3:1 for heritage trees, with funds payable to the City's Tree Canopy Preservation Fund if replanting is not feasible.
Removing a regulated tree without a permit is a Class C misdemeanor and a UDC violation; fines run up to $2,000 per tree under Chapter 1 enforcement, plus required 1:1 or 3:1 mitigation or payment into the Tree Canopy Fund.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bexar County.
See how other cities in Bexar County handle tree removal & heritage trees.
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