Tree rules in San Antonio: permits, protected trees and fees

This page reports what the official source says. It is not legal advice: ask the office named here. It restates the Development Services Department tree preservation page, the department's Tree Ordinance Fact Sheet (dated April 15, 2021) and Information Bulletin 552 (revised January 13, 2017), as read on October 8, 2026. The rule itself is section 35-523 of the Unified Development Code (UDC). The wider list of cities is on the guide to tree permits in the largest US cities.

Where the ordinance applies

The fact sheet says the tree code dates from 1997 and was amended in 2003, 2006, 2009, 2010 and 2015, with the last major policy change in 2010. It applies to private property inside the city limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction, which the sheet says reaches about 5 miles beyond the limits, and to public property. IB 552 quotes the UDC as covering grading, filling or clearing of land, and trenching or excavation that may damage a significant or heritage tree or tree canopy.

Protected tree sizes

The measure is diameter at breast height, 4.5 feet above ground, taken from the high side on a slope. For multi-trunk trees the sheet describes the main trunk plus half the diameter of the other trunks, and refers to UDC 35-523(f). Newly planted trees are measured 6 inches above ground.

Permit, affidavit and fees

The department page says a tree application must be submitted before any development of property, and that development removing trees or disturbing vegetation needs a tree preservation plan. The fact sheet says a tree permit allows removal of protected trees on the conditions placed on it. A tree affidavit may be filed instead when the applicant will not be removing or affecting protected trees, whether or not the site has trees. Applications are needed before any clearing of vegetation, construction or tree removal in the city and the extraterritorial jurisdiction, and are filed through the BuildSA portal. The sheet says mitigation is required if minimum preservation is not met, and that a tree canopy plan is needed where there are no protected trees. IB 552, which deals with geotechnical investigations, lists a review fee of US$100.00 and a tree canopy fee of US$25.00 per acre with a one acre minimum (not required for geotechnical permits), plus an affidavit or permit fee from the current fee schedule. It says an approved affidavit for such work is good for 180 days and that a protected tree is one with a trunk of 6 inches or larger.

Homes, contractors and oak wilt

The fact sheet says that for a home where all construction is done, no tree permit or City Arborist coordination is needed for removal, and a homeowner may prune or remove trees. If a contractor is hired, the contractor must hold a valid city-issued Tree Maintenance License, and it is against city code for any person or firm to prune, treat or remove trees as a business without one. It gives the property owner responsibility for trees abutting streets, sidewalks and alleys, with overhanging limbs trimmed to 14 feet of clearance over streets and 8 feet over sidewalks. Under the Oak Wilt Ordinance (Chapter 21, section 170) the sheet lists painting all cuts and wounds on oak trees within 30 minutes and a ban on bringing firewood from infected oaks into the city.

Sources

• City of San Antonio Development Services Department, Tree preservation, read October 8, 2026
• City of San Antonio Development Services Department, San Antonio's Tree Ordinance Fact Sheet, April 15, 2021, read October 8, 2026
• City of San Antonio Development Services Department, Information Bulletin 552 Tree permits, tree preservation plans and affidavits, read October 8, 2026