Keller owners must keep street trees clear of sidewalks at 8 feet and streets at 13 to 14 feet. Right-of-way trimming needs Public Works coordination. Protected trees on development sites need permits.
Tree trimming in Keller is governed by the city right-of-way maintenance standards and the Keller tree preservation provisions of the zoning code. Owners are responsible for maintaining trees on their property and in the adjacent parkway strip so that branches do not obstruct sidewalks below roughly 8 feet of clearance or streets below roughly 13 to 14 feet of clearance for emergency vehicles and refuse trucks. Routine maintenance trimming of healthy trees on private residential property generally does not require a permit. However, trimming within the public right-of-way or on city property must be coordinated with Keller Public Works. On undeveloped parcels subject to site plan review, protected trees defined by species and caliper in the tree preservation ordinance cannot be topped, severely pruned, or removed without approval, and mitigation planting or fees in lieu may apply. HOAs in most Keller subdivisions add rules about tree species selection, replacement standards, and maintenance. During active burn bans, homeowners should bag or haul trimmings rather than burning them, since open burning of yard waste is prohibited year-round. Boundary-line disputes over encroaching branches are governed by Texas common law self-help, which permits trimming back to the property line without killing the neighbor tree.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Tarrant County handle tree trimming.
See how Keller's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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