Temple, TX Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Temple, 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 threshold
- Trees over 8 inches DBH
- Protected zone
- Floodplain plus 300-foot buffer
- Replacement rule
- New trees equal caliper-inches removed
- In-lieu fee
- $100 per caliper-inch to Parks Dept
- Applies to
- I-35 Corridor Overlay district only
Summary
Temple protects trees over 8 inches DBH within the floodplain and 300 feet beyond it inside the I-35 Corridor Overlay; removing a protected tree requires replacement trees equal to its caliper-inches.
All trees over eight inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) located within the floodplain plus the area within 300 feet of the floodplain must be protected. ... The removal of protected trees must be replaced on the property by planting new trees, found in the Plant List in subsection E below, that are equal to the total caliper-inches of the removed trees.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Reformat).
Full Breakdown
Temple's Unified Development Code protects trees over eight inches DBH located in the floodplain and within 300 feet of it, but only for development inside the I-35 Corridor Overlay zoning district. A signed, sealed tree survey and preservation plan showing every protected tree's location, diameter, height and species must accompany the preliminary site plan. Removing a protected tree requires planting replacement trees from the city's Approved Tree List equal to the removed tree's total caliper-inches, or paying the Parks Department $100 per caliper-inch for trees that cannot be replanted on-site.
Violations & Fines
Development inside the overlay must submit a signed tree survey with site plans; removing a protected tree without replacing its caliper-inches (or paying the $100/inch fee) blocks final development approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this tree protection apply citywide in Temple?
What happens if a protected tree must be removed?
Who must prepare the required tree survey?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temple
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Temple to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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Tree Removal & Heritage Trees in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Bell County handle tree removal & heritage trees.