Tree Removal Permits & Heritage Trees in Austin, TX: The Complete Guide

In Austin, you need a city permit to remove any protected tree, defined as 19 inches or more in diameter measured 4.5 feet above the ground, regardless of species. Removing a heritage tree, which is 24 inches or more in diameter and one of 10 listed species including all oaks, pecan, and bald cypress, is prohibited except by variance. Trees under 19 inches are generally unregulated, and dead or hazardous trees have a faster permit path.

Happy Tree Service’s ISA Certified Arborist confirms your tree’s status and files the paperwork for you. Call 512-212-0010 for a free assessment.

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

Yes. Within Austin city limits, a permit is required to remove any tree with a trunk diameter of 19 inches or more (known as diameter at breast height, or DBH). This applies to every species. The City Arborist Program administers the Tree Ordinance under Sections 25-8-621 (protected trees) and 25-8-641 (heritage trees) of the Austin City Code.

Heritage trees receive additional restrictions and cannot be removed without a variance. If you are hiring a tree removal and stump grinding service, the company should confirm permit status before starting work. Removing a regulated tree without approval carries penalties including fines and mandatory mitigation.

What Size Tree Requires a Permit in Austin?

Any tree 19 inches or more in diameter (DBH) requires a City of Austin permit before removal. HOA or deed restrictions may apply to smaller trees regardless of the city ordinance, so check your community’s rules as well.

Does the Permit Rule Apply Inside and Outside Austin City Limits?

Austin’s Tree Ordinance applies within the city’s full-purpose and limited-purpose jurisdiction. Properties outside city limits may follow different rules, so always verify your property’s jurisdiction before scheduling tree work.

Why Trust Happy Tree Service to Handle Austin’s Tree Permit Process

Austin’s tree permit process requires accurate trunk measurement, species identification, and the right application. Most homeowners do not want to deal with this on their own, and getting it wrong can be costly.

Happy Tree Service’s ISA Certified Arborist in Austin, Evan Peter (TX-4602A), handles the entire process. With 30+ years in Central Texas, TRAQ certification for formal tree risk assessments, and Texas Oak Wilt Qualified credentials (#TOWQ-436), Evan confirms your tree’s classification on site and files the Tree Ordinance Review Application through the Austin Build + Connect portal on your behalf.

We carry a Texas Pesticide Applicator License (#0967351) from the Texas Department of Agriculture, general liability and workers’ compensation insurance, and follow ANSI A300 standards for every job. Our 4.9 Google rating from 300+ reviews reflects a track record of telling clients when a tree can be saved, even when removal is the bigger invoice.

Can an Arborist File My Austin Tree Permit for Me?

Yes. A certified arborist can file the TORA for you, handling the measurement, classification, and submission through the AB+C portal.

How Austin Classifies Trees: 8–18″, Protected & Heritage

The City of Austin regulates three classifications of trees on private property, based on trunk diameter (DBH). The City Arborist Program oversees all three tiers.

Classification	Diameter	Species	Permit Required?
8–18″	8–18″ DBH	Any	Development-related review only
Protected	19″+ DBH	Any	Yes, permit required for removal
Heritage	24″+ DBH	10 listed species	Removal prohibited except by variance

Trees in the 8-to-18-inch range face limited review, primarily when removal is tied to a building permit or site plan. Protected trees at 19 inches or more require a Tree Ordinance Review Application regardless of the reason for removal. Heritage trees receive the strongest protections under the ordinance.

What Is the Difference Between a Protected Tree and a Heritage Tree?

The difference is species. A protected tree is any species at 19 inches or more in diameter. Heritage trees add a species requirement on top of the size threshold, meaning the tree must also be one of 10 listed species. Both require permits, but heritage trees face a variance process that protected trees do not.

What Is a Heritage Tree in Austin? (Species List)

A heritage tree in Austin is a tree with a trunk diameter of 24 inches or more that belongs to one of 10 species listed in the Heritage Tree Ordinance (Ordinance No. 20100204-038, adopted in 2010). Heritage status requires both size and species. A 30-inch hackberry, for example, is protected but not heritage because hackberry is not on the list.

The 10 heritage tree species in Austin are:

• All oaks (live oak, Shumard oak, post oak, Texas red oak, bur oak, and others)
• Pecan
• Bald cypress
• Cedar elm
• American elm
• Texas ash
• Texas madrone
• Bigtooth maple
• Arizona walnut
• Eastern black walnut

These species were protected because of their long lifespans, canopy size, and the decades it takes to replace a mature specimen. The Texas A&M Forest Service identifies live oaks as the most commonly encountered heritage trees in urban Central Texas, and that holds true across Austin neighborhoods like Tarrytown, Hyde Park, Rosedale, and West Austin.

For multi-stem trees, the city calculates diameter by adding the largest stem’s diameter to half the diameter of all other stems. If the total reaches 24 inches and the species qualifies, the tree is heritage.

The ordinance can feel overwhelming when a tree you assumed was yours to manage turns out to be heritage-protected.

Is My Large Tree Automatically a Heritage Tree?

No. A tree must meet both the size and species criteria to qualify as heritage. A large tree of a non-listed species, such as a hackberry, Arizona cypress, or Chinese pistache, qualifies as protected at 19 inches but does not carry heritage restrictions.

Can You Remove a Heritage Tree in Austin?

Heritage tree removal is prohibited under Section 25-8-641 of the Austin City Code except by variance. Trees 24 to 30 inches in diameter may qualify for an administrative variance reviewed by the City Arborist. Trees over 30 inches require a public review process through the Land Use Commission. Both paths require documentation of why removal is necessary, and approval is not guaranteed. When a heritage oak has been killed by oak wilt, the dead or diseased tree path may apply instead.

How to Measure Your Tree’s Diameter (DBH)

Diameter at breast height (DBH) is the standard measurement the City of Austin uses to classify trees. You can estimate your tree’s diameter at home with a flexible tape measure and one calculation.

• Stand at the base of the tree and measure 4.5 feet up from the ground. Mark the spot.
• Wrap a flexible tape measure around the trunk at that height to get the circumference.
• Divide the circumference by 3.14 (pi) to calculate the diameter.

For example, a trunk with a circumference of 60 inches has a diameter of approximately 19 inches, which is the threshold for a protected tree. A circumference of 75 inches puts the tree at roughly 24 inches in diameter, the heritage threshold for listed species.

How Do I Know If My Tree Is Over the 19-Inch Limit?

Just use a tape measure. Wrap it around the trunk at 4.5 feet above the ground. If the circumference reads 60 inches or more, your tree is at or above the protected threshold and likely requires a city permit before removal. If the trunk is irregular or you are unsure of the species, a certified arborist can take a precise measurement on site.

When You Don’t Need a Tree Removal Permit in Austin

Not every tree removal in Austin requires a permit, but before you pick up the phone, make sure your situation actually qualifies as an exception.

Trees under 19 inches in diameter are generally unregulated by the city. You can remove them without filing a Tree Ordinance Review Application, though your HOA or deed restrictions may impose separate requirements that are stricter than the city ordinance.

Certain invasive or non-native species are exempt from the ordinance regardless of size.

Properties outside Austin’s full-purpose or limited-purpose jurisdiction may not be subject to the Tree Ordinance at all. If your address falls in unincorporated Travis County or within a neighboring city like Bee Cave or Rollingwood, different rules apply. Verify your jurisdiction through the City of Austin’s property lookup before scheduling work.

Do I Need a Permit to Remove a Dead or Hazardous Tree?

Dead, diseased, and imminent-hazard trees still require a permit, but the City of Austin offers a dedicated faster review path for these situations. An arborist assessment confirming the tree’s condition is typically required. If you have a dead or diseased tree that needs evaluation, Happy Tree’s tree healthcare services in Austin can help determine the right course of action.

Are Any Tree Species Exempt From the Ordinance?

Yes. Ashe juniper (cedar), chinaberry, and paper mulberry are exempt from Austin’s Tree Ordinance regardless of trunk diameter. These species can be removed without a city permit. However, this list is subject to change, so confirm the current exempt species with the City Arborist Program before removal. If your tree is an oak or pecan that appears dead, it is not exempt and still requires the emergency tree service or dead/hazard permit path.

How to Apply: The Tree Ordinance Review Application (TORA)

When you need to remove a regulated tree in Austin, the application is called a Tree Ordinance Review Application, or TORA. For non-development removals on residential property, you file the TORA through the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal at austintexas.gov. The City Arborist Program reviews the application and determines whether removal is approved.

Development-related removals, where tree removal is tied to a building permit or site plan, are reviewed alongside the construction application rather than through a standalone TORA. The City Arborist evaluates the tree survey, the proposed site impact, and the root protection zone (CRZ) defined in the Environmental Criteria Manual for each regulated tree on the property.

Dead, diseased, or imminent-hazard trees have a dedicated faster path through the same portal. You will need documentation of the tree’s condition, which a certified arborist can provide.

Happy Tree Service files the TORA for clients as part of the removal service. We handle the paperwork from measurement through submission so you don’t have to.

How Do I File a Tree Removal Permit in Austin?

Submit a Tree Ordinance Review Application (TORA) through the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) portal. The application requires your property address, the tree’s species, its diameter, and the reason for removal. For dead or hazardous trees, include photos and an arborist assessment. A certified arborist can handle the entire filing, including supporting documentation.

Penalties, Mitigation & Fines for Removing a Tree Without a Permit

Removing a protected or heritage tree without a permit can trigger mandatory mitigation, fines, and stop-work orders on any associated construction. The financial consequences often exceed the cost of the removal itself, turning what might have been a $2,000 job into a $15,000 problem.

Mitigation for unpermitted removal typically requires the property owner to replace the lost tree in caliper inches or make a payment into the city’s tree fund. The replacement ratio depends on the tree’s classification, diameter, and species. Heritage tree violations carry the steepest mitigation requirements because the ordinance treats these trees as irreplaceable.

Confirming your tree’s status before work begins costs nothing. A certified arborist will assess it for free. Skipping that step can follow you through the life of your property.

What Is the Fine for Removing a Tree Without a Permit in Austin?

Fines for unpermitted removal can run into the thousands of dollars, with heritage oak violations carrying the highest penalties. Beyond fines, unpermitted removal during active construction can trigger stop-work orders that delay an entire project. Confirming status first is always less expensive than resolving a violation afterward.

Austin Tree Permit & Heritage Tree FAQs

How Much Does a Tree Removal Permit Cost in Austin?

Permit fees vary by tree classification, project type, and whether the removal is development-related. The City Arborist Program sets the current fee schedule. Call Happy Tree Service at 512-212-0010 for guidance on what to expect for your specific tree and property.

Do You Need a Permit to Cut Down an Oak Tree in Austin?

If the oak is 19 inches or more in diameter, yes. It qualifies as a protected tree and requires a TORA. All oaks at 24 inches or more carry heritage restrictions, making removal significantly harder to approve. Even a small oak under 19 inches should be evaluated for oak wilt risk before pruning or removal, especially between February and June when the fungus spreads most actively.

What Are the Tree Removal Rules Outside Austin City Limits?

Austin’s Tree Ordinance applies within the city’s full-purpose and limited-purpose jurisdiction only. Properties in unincorporated Travis County, the Austin ETJ, or neighboring cities like Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, and Rollingwood each follow different regulations. Some have their own tree ordinances, and others have none. Always verify your property’s jurisdiction before scheduling work.

How Long Does the Austin Tree Permit Process Take?

Processing times vary depending on tree classification and project complexity. Dead or hazardous tree applications through the faster path typically move more quickly than standard protected or heritage reviews. Development-related applications are reviewed alongside the building permit timeline. Working with an arborist who files TORAs regularly can help avoid delays caused by incomplete applications.

Get Help With Your Austin Tree Removal Permit From Happy Tree Service of Austin

Send us a photo or call 512-212-0010 for a free certified-arborist assessment. Our ISA Certified Arborist handles everything on site, from measuring the tree and confirming its classification to filing the TORA and completing the removal legally.

We serve Austin, Tarrytown, Hyde Park, Rosedale, West Austin, and the greater metro area. Contact us online or call 512-212-0010 to get started.