Harris County, TX Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)
Tree removal permit rules in Harris County, TX, sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances, list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- Ch. 32, Sec 9 - Plant Life
- Scope
- Harris County-owned parks only
- Who must approve
- Park Superintendent consent required
- Penalty
- Class C misdemeanor (Ch. 32, Sec 32)
- Not covered
- No permit rule for private property
Summary
Removing or destroying any tree, shrub, or other plant life in a Harris County park requires the Park Superintendent's consent: there's no blanket right to trim, dig up, or take vegetation from county park land.
No person shall willfully destroy or remove any tree, shrub, vine, wildflower, grass, fern, moss, leaves, cones, dead or downed wood, or any other plant life within a park without the consent of or under the direct supervision of the Superintendent.
Full Breakdown
Harris County Code of Ordinances Chapter 32, Section 9 bars anyone from destroying or removing any tree, shrub, vine, wildflower, grass, fern, moss, leaves, cones, or dead and downed wood inside a county park without the Park Superintendent's consent or direct supervision. The rule covers only property the county owns and operates as parkland: it does not create a tree-removal permit for private lots anywhere in unincorporated Harris County, which has no general zoning or tree-preservation ordinance reaching private land. Violating any Chapter 32 park rule, including this one, is a Class C misdemeanor under Local Government Code Section 320.0455.
Violations & Fines
Removing county park vegetation without Superintendent approval is a Class C misdemeanor under Texas Local Government Code Section 320.0455, enforced under Harris County Code of Ordinances Chapter 32, Section 32.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to remove a tree from my own yard in unincorporated Harris County?
Who enforces the park tree rule and what's the penalty?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Harris County
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Harris County to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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