Denton, TX Tree Protection: Heritage & Protected Trees (2026)
Key Facts
- Landmark tree preservation
- 100% must be preserved
- Heritage tree standard
- Quality trees >18" dbh
- Post Oak heritage threshold
- 6 inches dbh or greater
- Designation source
- Texas Big Tree Registry or local history
- Required before removal
- Tree removal permit
Summary
Denton's Development Code creates a Landmark Tree designation for historically or civically significant trees and requires developers to preserve 100 percent of them, on top of separate protections for large Heritage trees.
A healthy tree that is designated by the property owner on the Texas Big Tree Registry regardless if the tree is protected or a non-protected tree; or a tree designated as a historic tree where an event of historic significance occurred that had local, regional, or national importance; or at the home of a citizen who is famous on a local, regional, or national basis; or that has taken on a legendary stature in the community, is mentioned in literature or documents of historic value, or is considered unusual due to size, age, or other landmark status. Historic trees shall be designated following the historic landmark designation procedure.
Landscaping
A planted area containing trees, shrubs, and groundcovers providing a transition between structures on a site and the property line, adjacent structures, or street rights-of-way.
Lane
A driving surface with a width as specified in the street design standards for that class of street.
Large Secondary Trees
All healthy Bois d'Arc, Hackberry, or Cottonwood trees with a 12-inch or greater dbh.
Denton, Texas - Denton Development Code 555
Print Date: July 2, 2026 Subchapter 9: Definitions
9.2 Definitions
Laundry Facility, Industrial
An establishment that cleans clothing, carpeting, drapes, and other cloth or synthetic fiber materials using
Full Breakdown
Under DDC § 7.7.4 (Tree Preservation), a tree qualifies as a Landmark Tree if it's registered by its owner on the Texas Big Tree Registry, tied to a locally, regionally, or nationally significant historic event or person, or otherwise legendary or unusual for its size or age, per DDC § 9.2. Once designated, 100 percent of Landmark trees on a development site must be preserved. A related tier, Heritage Trees, quality trees over 18 inches dbh and Post Oaks 6 inches dbh or greater (DDC § 9.2), must be preserved at a 30 percent minimum, reducible to 20 percent only with added mitigation of 2.75 inches of replacement per inch removed. Any tree survey submitted with a development application must classify each tree as quality, heritage, landmark, secondary, or non-protected.
Violations & Fines
Removing a designated Landmark or Heritage tree without an approved tree removal permit and preservation plan violates DDC § 7.7.4; the Building Official can withhold the permit, and site work tied to the plat or building permit can be halted until the preservation or mitigation requirement is met.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies a tree as a Landmark Tree in Denton?
Can a Landmark tree be removed for a new development?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Denton
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Denton to another location·View the Texas tree protection overview
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