Tree permit rules around Austin
- City of Austin: Trees 19" diameter and larger are Protected (any species) and need a permit to remove or to prune more than 25% of the canopy. Heritage trees (24"+ of listed species) need a variance; heritage variances for trees 30"+ go through a public process. The ordinance applies in Full and Limited Purpose areas, not the ETJ.
- City of Rollingwood: A permit is needed to remove a protected-species tree (Texas ash, bald cypress, American/cedar elm, Texas madrone, bigtooth maple, all oaks, pecan, walnuts) 12"+ in diameter on a residential lot; replacement trees are required. No oak trimming Feb 1 to Jun 30 ($500 fine).
- City of West Lake Hills: No trees or vegetation may be removed without a permit, except ordinary gardening, removing dead branches or pruning a single live tree, and clearing existing dead brush. Maintenance permits are free.
- City of Sunset Valley: All trees 10"+ in diameter are protected (5"+ for Texas persimmon, mountain laurel, Eve's necklace, silk tassel and bigtooth maple), except chinaberry, Chinese tallow, Japanese ligustrum, tree of heaven and Callery pear. Removing a protected, heritage (24"+ listed species) or ancestral (30"+) tree needs a permit.
- City of Bee Cave: A Tree Removal Permit is needed to remove a protected, significant, specimen or heritage tree. Exempt: trees under 10" at an existing owner-occupied single-family or duplex home, Table 6.1-1 species under 12", and dead/diseased trees or imminent hazards. Oaks cannot be removed or trimmed Feb 1 to Jul 1 without a City Manager waiver.
- City of Lakeway: At an existing single-family home, a permit is needed only for heritage trees: 24"+ in diameter and not an unprotected species. On other property, protected trees (12"+ hardwoods) and heritage trees need a permit. Dead or diseased trees are exempt (subject to code official approval).
- Unincorporated Travis County: Texas counties have no general power to require a tree permit on private land, so unincorporated Travis County has no county tree permit. Deed restrictions, HOA rules and utility easements can still apply. If you are in a city's ETJ, the City of Austin tree ordinance does not apply there.
- Unincorporated Williamson County: Texas counties have no general power to require a tree permit on private land, so unincorporated Williamson County has no county tree permit. Deed restrictions, HOA rules and utility easements can still apply. If you are in a city's ETJ, the City of Austin tree ordinance does not apply there.
- Unincorporated Hays County: Texas counties have no general power to require a tree permit on private land, so unincorporated Hays County has no county tree permit. Deed restrictions, HOA rules and utility easements can still apply. If you are in a city's ETJ, the City of Austin tree ordinance does not apply there.
Texas law: cities cannot charge a tree mitigation fee for a tree under 10" at an existing one- or two-family home you live in (Local Gov't Code §212.905, HB 7, 2017). Since 2023, landowners can petition to leave a city's ETJ (SB 2038), so ETJ lines change; we read the live City of Austin jurisdiction map.
Coming soon (rules not verified yet): Round Rock, Cedar Park, Georgetown, Leander, Pflugerville, Hutto, Manor, Kyle, Buda, San Marcos, Dripping Springs, Lago Vista, Jonestown, Point Venture, San Leanna, Volente, The Hills, Briarcliff, Elgin, Bastrop, Mustang Ridge, Creedmoor, Webberville, Hays (city), Mountain City, Niederwald, Uhland, Taylor, Bear Creek.
