The Unified Development Code identifies coastal live oak, mesquite, and select native trees for special protection during development, requiring tree surveys, mitigation planting, and design adjustments to preserve specimen-size protected species.
Corpus Christi recognizes coastal live oak, mesquite, anaqua, and Texas ebony as protected native species in development reviews under the UDC tree preservation rules. Site plans for new commercial and large residential development must include a tree survey identifying specimen-size protected trees, generally those above defined diameter thresholds. Removal requires demonstration of unavoidable conflict with the building footprint and triggers mitigation through replacement plantings or fee-in-lieu contributions to the city tree fund. Heritage live oaks, which can survive hurricanes when properly maintained, receive heightened scrutiny during review and may force redesign of driveways and pads.
Unauthorized removal of a protected specimen-size tree may result in mitigation orders requiring inch-for-inch replacement, fee-in-lieu payment to the tree fund, or denial of certificate of occupancy until mitigation is satisfied.
See how Corpus Christi's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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