Texas counties have no general police power to designate or protect specific tree species on private property. Harris County does not list protected species. Houston, Bellaire, West University, and Sugar Land protect heritage and species-specific trees through their own urban forestry ordinances inside city limits.
Texas Local Government Code grants counties only narrow regulatory authority. Without statutory delegation, Harris County cannot impose tree species protections on private property in unincorporated areas. State law preempts county tree removal regulation on commercial and residential lots. Houston's Tree Protection Ordinance lists species like live oak, water oak, magnolia, pecan, and bald cypress as protected when above size thresholds, with replacement requirements and removal permits. Bellaire and West University Place have stricter protections requiring arborist sign-off. Harris County Engineering coordinates tree removals only on county-owned property and right-of-way. The Texas A&M Forest Service is the statewide technical authority for native and heritage tree identification and care.
Houston Tree Protection Ordinance violations carry fines up to $2,000 per tree per day plus replacement costs. There is no county-level fine for removing trees on unincorporated private property, except where TxDOT or pipeline easements impose contractual protections.
Tomball, TX
Tomball regulates construction activity through its nuisance ordinance. Construction in residential areas is generally permitted Monday through Saturday duri...
Tomball, TX
Tomball regulates noise under Chapter 18, Article IV of its Code of Ordinances. In 2024, the city adopted Ordinance 2024-17 which deleted Section 18-192 (Max...
Tomball, TX
Tomball restricts the parking of large commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods. Vehicles exceeding certain size and weight thresholds, including sem...
Tomball, TX
Tomball restricts parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers in residential areas. RVs and boats must be stored behind the front build...
Tomball, TX
Tomball requires vehicles to be parked on improved surfaces such as concrete or asphalt driveways. Parking on grass, dirt, or unimproved surfaces in front ya...
Tomball, TX
Tomball regulates on-street parking throughout the city. Vehicles may not be parked on public streets for more than 72 consecutive hours. Parking is prohibit...
See how Tomball's protected tree species rules stack up against other locations.
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