Trees planted in unincorporated county road right-of-way require Harris County Engineering approval and must follow the AASHTO clear-zone standard, sight triangle rules, and approved species list. Inside Houston, parkway plantings need a Houston Public Works street tree permit through the Houston Parks and Recreation Department.
Harris County Engineering controls work in unincorporated road right-of-way under Texas Transportation Code Chapter 251. Property owners or HOAs wanting to plant a parkway (esplanade) or street tree must submit a no-cost ROW use application showing species, location, and sight-distance compliance. Trees within thirty feet of intersections, near drainage ditches, or under overhead utilities are typically denied. Approved species follow the Houston-Galveston Area Council recommended urban tree list. Inside Houston, parkway plantings go through Houston Public Works ROW Section 14-7 and Houston Parks and Recreation Forestry Division. Trees River Oaks, Bellaire, and West University each operate separate parkway approval programs.
Planting trees in county ROW without approval can lead to required removal at owner expense, citation under Transportation Code Chapter 251 for unauthorized obstruction, and civil liability if the tree contributes to a sight-distance crash.
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See how Harris County's parkway planting rules stack up against other locations.
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