You must notify the city before removing a Houston protected tree, provide a site and replacement plan at least 20 days before removal, and get written permission before removing a protected right-of-way tree. Houston's official landscape guidance protects right-of-way, corridor, green-corridor, designated, and qualifying parkway trees. It requires advance removal materials and replacement or mitigation for protected trees approved for removal.

Reviewed guide

Trees

Houston, TX · City rule · Reviewed 2026-09-26

You must notify the city before removing a Houston protected tree, provide a site and replacement plan at least 20 days before removal, and get written permission before removing a protected right-of-way tree.

Official source: Landscape Regulations: Removing Protected TreesSource checked 2026-09-26

More about this rule

The rule in plain language

Houston's official landscape guidance protects right-of-way, corridor, green-corridor, designated, and qualifying parkway trees. It requires advance removal materials and replacement or mitigation for protected trees approved for removal.

What to keep in mind

The rule does not treat every private yard tree as protected. Identify the tree category and location first. For a street or right-of-way tree, contact Urban Forestry and wait for written permission before cutting.

Official source

Landscape Regulations: Removing Protected Trees

City rule: City of Houston · retrieved-2026-09-25 · Source checked 2026-09-26 · Reviewed 2026-09-26

Civic education, not legal advice. Rules can change.

Trees

The rule in plain language

What to keep in mind

Official source

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Trees

The rule in plain language

What to keep in mind

Official source

Comments

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