Do you need a permit?
It depends on the tree
Fort Worth regulates tree removal through the Urban Forestry section of its zoning ordinance, and an urban forestry permit is required when more than one tree is being removed unless an exemption applies. The city's urban forestry materials list an exemption for a single residential lot with a one- or two-family dwelling that is one acre or less, which covers most Fort Worth homeowners.
What's protected in Fort Worth
- Trees on lots that do not qualify for an ordinance exemption, including larger residential tracts and non-residential property
Fees, penalties, and the ordinance
- Penalties
- In cases of illegal removal or noncompliance with an approved permit or urban forestry plan, the removal of each tree is a separate offense, exposing the owner to fines and civil penalties per tree.
- Ordinance
- Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance, Appendix A, Chapter 6, § 6.302 — Urban Forestry
Worth knowing
- Properties zoned "Urban Residential" are exempt from the preservation requirement.
- A Table J form must be submitted; the city states no approval is granted and no removals may be completed without it.
- Fort Worth Parks and Recreation runs a separate Forestry program for city-owned and right-of-way trees.
What we could not confirm
We would rather tell you what we don't know than guess. Call the office below to confirm these before you cut.
- — The exact wording of the one-acre single-family exemption in the currently adopted § 6.302 — fortworthtexas.gov blocks automated access, so this was read via domain-restricted search rather than the live page. Confirm with Development Services before relying on it.
- — Caliper or diameter thresholds defining a regulated tree, permit fees and mitigation requirements.
- — A direct phone number for the urban forestry permit desk.