Laredo, TX Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)
Key Facts
- New-subdivision tree formula
- T = X/30 to 2X/30 per street frontage
- Existing-subdivision requirement
- 2 trees per single-family lot
- Planting zone
- Within 10 ft of local street ROW
- Major thoroughfare planting zone
- Within 25 ft on non-residential land
- Money-in-lieu option
- Up to 30% of requirement, Sec. 24-83.9
Summary
New subdivisions in Laredo must plant street trees along every public street under LDC Section 24-83.1, using a formula tied to street frontage or lot count. Existing subdivisions face a parallel requirement of two trees per single-family lot when a building permit is issued. Trees go in the right-of-way, a dedicated landscape reserve, or within 10 feet of a local street.
(1)The owner or subdivider of property in new subdivisions shall plant, or require the planting of the total number of street trees (T) required under the following calculations, whichever is greatest:(a)T = (X x 2)/30 in the case of a street dedication plat and/or where the property to be platted lies adjacent to both sides of a public street... (3)The trees required under this section shall be planted within the public rights-of-way, within landscape or other reserves restricted for the purpose, or on private property within the ten (10) feet parallel and adjacent to a local street right-of-way, or on private non-residential property within twenty-five (25) feet parallel and adjacent to a major thoroughfare.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 3 | Land Development Code: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
Laredo requires developers to plant street trees, commonly the trees in the parkway strip between the curb and sidewalk, whenever a new subdivision is platted. 1(1) sets three formulas for the required tree count (T), and the subdivider must use whichever produces the highest number: T = (X x 2)/30 when the plat fronts both sides of a public street, T = X/30 when it fronts only one side (X being the street's centerline length in linear feet), or T = Y x 2 where Y is the number of single-family residential lots in the plat.
The trees must go within the public right-of-way, within a dedicated landscape reserve, on private property within 10 feet of a local street right-of-way, or within 25 feet of a major thoroughfare on non-residential land. 1(4) adds median planting rules: no tree within 75 feet of a major arterial median nose, 50 feet of a minor arterial median nose, or 50 feet of any mid-block median opening, with trees spaced at least 30 feet apart. A visibility triangle rule caps any tree, shrub, or structure at 24 inches in height and requires trimming so no branch hangs lower than 10 feet over the adjacent roadway.
2 requires two trees per single-family lot as a condition of a new building permit, with an exemption for permits limited to reconstruction or additions on existing single-family homes, or non-residential expansions under 1,000 square feet or 25% of the existing structure.
Violations & Fines
Failing to plant the required street trees blocks approval of the subdivision plat or building permit rather than triggering a separate fine; the Planning and Zoning Commission and Building Services Department will not sign off on the plat or issue the permit until the tree count or an approved money-in-lieu payment under Section 24-83.9 is satisfied. Up to 30% of the requirement can be met by paying into the city's tree fund instead of planting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many street trees does a new Laredo subdivision have to plant?
Do existing neighborhoods have to plant street trees too?
Can I pay a fee instead of planting street trees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Laredo
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Laredo to another location·View the Texas tree protection overview
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