Tree Removal Permit in Austin, TX
Permit Summary
Do You Need a Tree Removal Permit?
Exemptions
On one- and two-unit residential property, trees under 19 inches in diameter are not regulated by TORA. On commercial and multifamily property, current Austin Development Services guidance regulates trees 8 inches or more for removal review. A damaged Protected or Heritage Tree that is an imminent hazard to life or property may be removed without prior approval if removed within seven days of being damaged, subject to the City's emergency documentation and follow-up process; the deadline may be extended for widespread storm damage. A Protected Tree identified for removal on an approved preliminary plan, final plat, or site plan does not require a separate removal permit.
Protected Trees & Removal Eligibility
Protected Tree Rules
A Protected Tree is any tree at least 19 inches in diameter measured 4.5 feet above natural grade. A Heritage Tree is at least 24 inches in diameter at that height and is Texas Ash, Bald Cypress, American Elm, Cedar Elm, Texas Madrone, Bigtooth Maple, any Oak, Pecan, Arizona Walnut, or Eastern Black Walnut. City Code defines removal broadly to include acts reasonably expected to cause a tree to die, including uprooting, severing the main trunk, damaging the root system, and excessive pruning. Austin's residential TORA guidance also requires review for pruning 25% or more of canopy or activities that may disturb a regulated tree's critical root zone.
When Removal Is Allowed
A Protected Tree may be approved for removal only when it prevents reasonable access or use of property; is an imminent hazard that cannot reasonably be mitigated; is dead; is diseased and cannot practicably be restored or may transmit disease; or, for a tree on public property, a public street, or an easement, prevents necessary traffic lanes or utility or drainage facilities that cannot feasibly be rerouted. For private-property removals tied to another City Code constraint, the applicant generally must first seek available alternative relief that would eliminate the need for removal. Heritage Tree removal requires the applicable variance unless an exception applies; healthy Heritage Trees with any stem 30 inches or larger require Land Use Commission variance review.
Replacement Requirements
Replacement Rules
Mitigation is generally required as a condition of approval for removal of a Protected Tree and may include replacement planting or other mitigation established under Austin's Environmental Criteria Manual and permit conditions. Site-plan development that removes trees 8 inches or larger may also be conditioned on mitigation. No mitigation is required for a Heritage Tree variance based solely on the tree being dead, an unmitigable imminent hazard, or qualifying disease; other Heritage Tree variance approvals require mitigation.
Arborist & Professional Requirements
Professional Requirements
Austin's residential tree-review checklist requires a letter from a privately hired Certified Arborist with an ISA risk assessment when Protected Tree removal is requested for condition-related reasons. An arborist letter is also required during residential review when proposed construction is within one-half of a Protected Tree's critical root zone or there are obvious conflicts between the tree and proposed construction. The City Arborist makes the City's regulatory determination and does not diagnose, prune, or remove private trees.
Emergency Tree Removal
The ordinary dead, diseased, or imminent-hazard TORA process requires approval before removing a regulated tree. City Code separately allows a damaged Protected or Heritage Tree that is an imminent hazard to life or property to be removed without prior approval if it is removed within seven days of being damaged; the City may extend the deadline for widespread storm damage. Austin's emergency guidance says to photograph the tree, document or estimate its diameter and size, and submit the tree permit request within seven days after removal. No application fee is charged for qualifying dead, diseased, or imminent-hazard removals.
Development & Special Areas
Development-Related Rules
Tree review is commonly integrated into building, site-plan, subdivision, or demolition review. If a preliminary plan, final plat, building permit, or site plan proposes removal of a Protected Tree, the City Arborist must review the application before approval. If development proposes removal of a Heritage Tree, the applicant must obtain the applicable Heritage Tree variance before the development application can be approved. Site-plan development that removes a tree 8 inches or larger may be subject to mitigation.
Special Zone Rules
Austin's tree-protection rules apply to public property, public streets, and easements as well as private property. Work in the public right-of-way may also require a separate Austin Transportation and Public Works right-of-way permit. General Permit projects in existing public rights-of-way, public easements, or City-owned land must use the applicable Site Plan Exemption or standalone tree-permit process for Protected or Heritage Tree impacts or removal. The City tree ordinance applies in Austin's zoning jurisdiction; certain subdivision applications in the Austin extraterritorial jurisdiction within Travis County are governed by Title 30 instead.
What You Need Before Applying
Requirements
Determine whether the tree is regulated for the property type, identify its species and diameter, and submit a Tree Ordinance Review Application (TORA) through Austin Build + Connect unless tree review is handled through an associated building, site-plan, subdivision, or other development application. Protected Tree removal must meet City Code approval criteria. Heritage Tree removal requires the applicable variance unless a code exception applies. Follow all mitigation and inspection conditions stated in the approval.
Required Documents
Typical standalone TORA information includes the property address, applicant information, tree species and diameter, a description of the tree condition or proposed work, photos showing the tree from root to crown, and a sketch or plan showing proposed work or impacts. Dead, diseased, or imminent-hazard applications require clear photos of the defect and the entire tree. Development-related review may require a tree survey and project plans. Condition-related Protected Tree removal may require a privately hired Certified Arborist letter using an ISA risk assessment.