Houston, TX Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- New/expanded nonresidential or multifamily buildings
- Planting formula
- 1 tree per 30 linear feet frontage
- Curb setback
- At least 3 feet from curb
- Tree spacing
- No closer than 20 feet apart
- Species
- Must be on city street tree list
Summary
New and expanded commercial or multifamily buildings in Houston must plant street trees in the parkway strip along public streets, spaced and set back from the curb under Chapter 33's landscape standards: single-family homes are exempt.
Trees and shrubs planted in a parkway shall be planted in accordance with the applicable standards required by appendix B or E. ... For streets with curbs or proposed curbs, trees shall be planted at least three feet from the back of the existing curb or the city's final approved design line of the back of the curb of any public street as measured from the center line of the tree trunk.
Full Breakdown
Houston's landscape ordinance (Code of Ordinances ch. 33, art. V) requires one street tree for every 30 linear feet of street frontage on qualifying projects, planted in the parkway, the strip between the curb and the property line, or in an esplanade under Sec. 33-126. Trees must come from the Parks and Recreation Director's street tree list, sit at least 3 feet behind the curb (2 feet minimum with written city engineer approval), and be spaced no closer than 20 feet apart per Sec. 33-129. The requirement is triggered by new or enlarged nonresidential and multifamily buildings and new or expanded parking lots under Sec. 33-121; single-family residential building permits are not covered.
Violations & Fines
No final certificate of occupancy issues until required parkway trees are installed per the approved landscape plan (Sec. 33-132); owners may instead post a bond or assigned certificate of deposit to get a conditional C.O. (Sec. 33-133).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to my house?
How close to the curb can a parkway tree go?
What happens if the trees aren't planted?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Houston to another location·View the Texas tree protection overview
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Parkway Planting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle parkway planting.