Do you need a permit?
It depends on the tree
Houston requires a permit to remove any tree on city property — rights-of-way, medians, parks — and also for a tree standing in a setback, which can put a tree on your own lot under the permit rule. For trees fully on private property outside a setback, the city tells residents to hire a professional arborist rather than apply for a permit, so confirm where your tree sits before you cut.
What's protected in Houston
- Trees on city property, including rights-of-way, medians, parks and other city-owned land
- Trees located in a setback
How to apply in Houston
- 1
Email a written notice of intent to remove protected trees to forestryplanreview@houstontx.gov.
- 2
Submit a landscape plan showing existing and proposed utilities, trees, shrubs and planting details.
- 3
Allow about 10 business days for plan review.
- 4
Once approved, keep the permit on the premises and post it publicly for 20 days before any removal or trimming.
- 5
After the work, request a site inspection by email so the city can verify compliance.
Fees, penalties, and the ordinance
- Fee
- Houston states "Fees vary depending upon the size and location of tree."
- Ordinance
- Houston Code of Ordinances Chapter 33, Articles V and VI — Tree and Shrub Ordinance
Worth knowing
- Houston's own wording: "Citizens should contact a professional arborist or tree service regarding trees on their private property, except for city rights of way."
- The permit must be posted 20 days before removal or trimming — plan your schedule around that waiting period.
- The Tree and Shrub Ordinance itself is administered by Planning & Development, 832-393-6600.
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.
- — Whether a permit is required for a healthy tree standing entirely on private property outside any setback. The city says to call an arborist, but we found no Houston source stating outright that no permit is needed.
- — The exact dimensions of a "setback" for this purpose, which is what decides whether your tree is covered.
- — Dollar fee amounts, the size or species thresholds defining a "protected tree" under Chapter 33, and penalty amounts.