Denton, TX Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Branch clearance
- 7 ft above curb, 7.5 ft no curb
- Tree spacing
- At least 25 feet apart
- Sight-triangle limit
- 2 feet max near intersections
- Governing section
- Sec. 18-198, Code of Ordinances
- Max fine
- $500 per day, Sec. 1-12
Summary
City code requires parkway trees be trimmed so no branch hangs lower than seven feet above the curb, keeping the street and sidewalk clear for vehicles and pedestrians.
This prohibition shall not apply to trees within the parkway area which are trimmed at all times so that no branch is less than seven (7) feet above curb level or, if no curb exists, seven and one-half (7½) feet above the traveled portion of the roadway and which are planted no less than twenty-five (25) feet apart; provided, however, such trees shall not interfere with the free passage of vehicles on the street or of pedestrians on the sidewalk or obscure the view of motor vehicle operators of any traffic-control device or street sign or otherwise create a traffic hazard.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37 Update 1 | Development Code: Supplement 27).
Full Breakdown
Denton's parkway strip, the city-owned area between your property line and the curb, only allows trees, shrubs, and plants taller than two feet if they're kept trimmed so branches never hang below seven feet above curb level (seven and a half feet where there's no curb), with trees spaced at least 25 feet apart. That trimming exemption disappears the moment growth blocks vehicles on the street, pedestrians on the sidewalk, or a driver's view of a traffic sign or signal. Right at intersections, a companion sight-triangle rule caps any obstruction at just two feet.
Violations & Fines
Each day an obstructing tree or branch is left untrimmed counts as a separate offense; the Code's general penalty section caps fines at $500 per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to trim trees hanging over the sidewalk in Denton?
What if my tree is right at a street corner?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Denton to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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Tree Trimming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Denton County handle tree trimming.