Do You Need a Permit to Remove a Tree in Houston?

Inside the City of Houston

Trees on your own single-family lot: no city permit

Houston’s tree protection rules live in Chapter 33 of the Code of Ordinances. They protect certain trees on development sites and in public spaces, but the ordinance expressly exempts land devoted to single-family residential use. In practice that means a homeowner can remove an oak, pine or pecan in their own front or back yard without applying to the city. The same goes for pruning.

Three things can still restrict you on a residential lot:

• Deed restrictions and HOA covenants. Many Houston subdivisions and master-planned communities require architectural-committee approval before removing a mature tree, and some require replacement plantings. Check your HOA documents first.
• Commercial, multifamily and new-construction sites. If the lot is being developed or is not single-family, the Chapter 33 landscape and tree-protection requirements apply and removals are reviewed through the permitting process.
• Oak wilt timing. Not a permit, but the Texas A&M Forest Service advises against pruning or wounding oaks from February through June. See when to trim oak trees in Houston.

Trees in the right-of-way: permit required

The strip between the curb and your property line, the esplanade in the middle of a boulevard, parks and other city land all belong to the City of Houston. Removing a tree there, or trimming it heavily, requires a Tree Removal/Tree Trimming Permit from the Parks and Recreation Department’s Urban Forestry group, applied for through the Houston Permitting Center. The city reviews the request, may require a public posting period, and may require replacement trees. Removing a street tree without a permit can bring fines and replacement costs, and the city’s park rangers do respond to reports.

Not sure where your property line is? Your survey will show it. As a rule, if the tree is on the street side of the sidewalk, assume it is a city tree until proven otherwise.

Suburbs with their own tree ordinances

Several cities inside the Houston area regulate trees on private property by size. These are the ones our crews deal with most often. Rules change, so confirm with the city before scheduling a removal.

Trees near power lines

Power lines are a different kind of rule. CenterPoint Energy trims and removes trees that threaten its primary distribution lines through its own forestry program and contractors, and it asks residents not to trim within 10 feet of a line themselves. If a tree is growing into the main lines along the street or alley, call CenterPoint’s forestry team at 713-207-2222 before anyone cuts. The smaller service drop that runs from the pole to your house can be worked around by a trained crew with the right clearance and equipment.

How we handle permits on your job

1. During the estimate we identify whether the tree is on your lot or in the right-of-way, and which city the property is in.
2. If a permit applies, we tell you before we quote, and we will not remove a protected tree without one. We can supply photos and measurements for the application.
3. Hazardous trees get priority. If a tree is an immediate danger, document it with photos, call the permit office, and call us; most cities fast-track genuine hazards.
4. Replacement trees, where required, are planted at the right size and species for the site.

Removing a tree is permanent, and in a few Houston-area cities it is also regulated. A five-minute check up front is cheaper than a fine and a court date.

Frequently asked questions

Can I remove a tree in my own backyard in Houston without a permit?

Inside the City of Houston, yes for almost all single-family residential properties. The city’s protected-tree rules in Chapter 33 of the Code of Ordinances exempt land used for single-family homes. Check your deed restrictions and HOA rules, and confirm the tree is not in the public right-of-way.

What counts as the right-of-way?

The strip of public land along the street, usually between the curb and the sidewalk or your front property line. Trees there belong to the City of Houston even if you planted or watered them, and removing or heavily trimming one requires a permit from the Parks and Recreation Department’s Urban Forestry group.

How do I measure a tree’s diameter for an ordinance?

Most ordinances use diameter at breast height (DBH), measured 4.5 feet above the ground. Wrap a tape around the trunk at that height and divide the circumference in inches by 3.14. A 38-inch circumference is roughly a 12-inch diameter tree.

Does a dead or dangerous tree still need a permit?

In the suburbs that regulate trees, usually a permit is still required, but hazardous and diseased trees are typically approved quickly, sometimes with an arborist’s letter or photos. Do not assume an exemption applies; a phone call to the city’s permit office takes a few minutes and avoids a fine.

Who handles a tree growing into power lines?

Trees in CenterPoint Energy’s primary distribution lines are handled through the utility’s forestry team (713-207-2222). Never trim within 10 feet of a power line yourself. For the smaller service drop running to your house, a tree crew can work around it with proper clearance.