San Marcos, TX Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum clearance at curb
- 8 feet
- Clearance toward street center
- 16 feet
- Correction notice period
- 10 days
- Violation
- Misdemeanor, per-day offense
Summary
San Marcos requires property owners to trim tree limbs overhanging the street to at least 8 feet above curb level, or the city will do it and can prosecute.
It is unlawful for the owner or occupant of any property in the city to maintain or permit limbs of trees growing on the property to overhang or grow above the area between the property line and the curb line of any abutting street, unless the limbs and all branches and foliage are kept trimmed and pruned to a minimum of eight feet above the street level at the nearest curb line.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).
Full Breakdown
City code makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant to let tree limbs, branches, or foliage overhang the area between the property line and the curb line of an abutting street unless kept trimmed to a minimum of 8 feet above street level at the nearest curb line. The city manager can also remove trees/shrubs between opposite curb lines and trim overhanging limbs city-wide to a clearance of 8 feet at the curb, graduated to 16 feet toward the street center.
Violations & Fines
Written notice gives 10 days to correct; failure to trim, prune, or remove is a misdemeanor, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. The city may also trim/remove immediately if the condition is an immediate threat to public health or safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
How low can tree limbs hang over a San Marcos street?
What happens if I don't trim overhanging limbs after notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Marcos
Texas rules heatmap·Compare San Marcos to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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