Travis County has narrow tree removal permit authority because Texas state law preempts most county tree ordinances under HB 1796. Subdivision plat conditions, Hill Country Conservancy easements, and floodplain rules still create some review requirements.
The Texas Legislature in 2017 passed HB 1796 limiting municipal and county tree-protection ordinances and requiring tree-mitigation credits be granted for replanting. Travis County itself has no general tree-removal permit on private residential property in unincorporated areas. Trees may still be regulated through three pathways: subdivision plat notes recorded as deed restrictions, conservation easements held by Travis County or Hill Country Conservancy on specific protected parcels, and the Travis County Floodplain Ordinance for trees in mapped Special Flood Hazard Areas where removal could affect drainage. Inside Austin city limits, the city ordinance with HB 1796 carve-outs still requires permits for protected trees over 19 inches.
Removing a tree subject to a recorded conservation easement or plat restriction can lead to private enforcement, monetary damages, and injunctive relief. Floodplain violations can trigger up to 1,000 dollars per day civil penalties.
Travis County, TX
Travis County enforces floodplain development through Chapter 82 and participates in NFIP. The 2018 Llano River / Lake Travis flood raised the lake 18 feet i...
Travis County, TX
Unincorporated Travis County has no tree removal permit requirement. Austin has one of the strictest tree ordinances in Texas: Code 25-8-622 protects trees 1...
Travis County, TX
Heritage tree protection in Travis County is concentrated inside the City of Austin, which defines heritage trees as 24 inches diameter and over of certain n...
See how Travis County's tree removal permits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.