The City Arborist Program administers the City of Austin's Tree Ordinance and issues permits to remove or impact regulated trees. On private property, the City regulates three classifications of trees: 8- to 18-inch diameter, Protected Trees, and Heritage Trees. Tree preservation requirements are detailed in Section 3 of the Environmental Criteria Manual.
Levels of Tree Ordinance Protection
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8" and larger
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19" and larger are Protected Trees
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24" and larger may be Heritage Trees
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30" and larger Heritage Trees
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Helpful Links
Building Near a Tree - Samples and Diagrams
Learn about tree regulations, what impacts require a permit, and other factors to keep in mind when building near trees on residential property.
Trees on Residential Property
Learn about regulated trees and the tree review process on residential property.
Trees on Commercial and Multifamily Property
Learn about regulated trees and the tree review process on multifamily properties and projects that require a Site Plan.
Dead, Diseased, and Imminent Hazard Trees
Apply for a permit to remove a tree that is dead, diseased, or an imminent danger to people or property.
Report a Tree Violation
What to do if you suspect unpermitted activity is impacting regulated trees near you.
Tree Terms Glossary
We define some of the commonly used — though not commonly understood — terms in tree preservation and permitting.