The City of Austin protects certain size trees on commercial and multifamily property. You will need a permit if your project requires you to:

  • remove the tree,
  • prune 25% or more of the canopy,
  • and/or start an activity that may impact a tree or cause a disturbance to the critical root zone.

 

Step 1: Identify regulated trees on or near your worksite.

Any tree 8 inches or greater in diameter is regulated on commercial and multifamily properties and development projects that require a site plan submittal.

How to Measure a Tree

To calculate a tree’s diameter, use a flexible tape measure around the tree at 4.5 feet above the ground. Divide the circumference by 3.14 to get the diameter.

Diagram showing where to measure trees based on trunk characteristics

 

  • If the tree is on a slope, measure 4.5 feet above grade from the high side of the slope.
     
  • If the tree has irregular swelling in the trunk, measure 4.5 feet above grade above or below the swell(s). 
     
  • If the tree is a multi-stemmed tree: 
    1. Measure all the stems at 4.5 feet above grade. 
    2. Take the largest stem diameter, and add it to half of the subsequent stem diameters. 
      For Example: A Cedar Elm has two stems measuring 18 inches and 16 inches at 4.5 feet above grade. The larger stem is 18 inches, so take half of the subsequent stem diameter (16 inches / 2 = 8) and add it to the largest stem measurement. Calculate multi-stem diameter: 18 inches + 8 inches = 26 inch diameter.
       
  • If the tree is a leaning tree, measure at 4.5 feet above grade within the center area of the leaning tree. 

 

Critical Root Zone (CRZ) - Development Impact Zones

Tree Preservation Criteria
  • A minimum of 50% of the critical root zone of all regulated trees must be preserved at natural grade, with natural ground cover. 
  • No cut or fill greater than 4 inches allowed within the 1/2 critical root zone. Piers with suspended slab may be permitted within the 1/2 critical root zone on a case by case basis dependent upon tree impact and at City Arborist staff discretion.
  • No impacts allowed within 1/4 critical root zone.

Read the full Tree and Natural Area Preservation requirements, Section 3 of the Environmental Criteria Manual.

critical tree root zone diagram

Step 2: Apply for your permit(s).

The permits you will need and the application process will depend on the details of your project. Schedule a virtual or in-person appointment with someone from the City Arborist group to discuss the type of application needed and next steps.

  1. Visit the online PDC Appointment Scheduler.
  2. Under Select Department, choose “Development Services.”
  3. Under Select Category, choose “Land Development.”
  4. Under Select Type, choose “Tree Division/City Arborist.”
  5. Select your location and language preference and click “Schedule Appointment.”
  6. Select the date and time you would like to schedule your appointment. Click “Continue.”
  7. Fill out the final screen with your contact information and reason for your visit. Click “Schedule It.” 

Complete and submit the appropriate Land Use Review Application for your project type. If you had a Pre-plan Submittal Consultation, including these notes with your application packet is helpful.

Optional: How to Schedule a Pre-plan Submittal Consultation

If your work will impact Heritage trees, you have the option of requesting a Pre-plan Submittal Consultation. The fee for this service is $648.23 on commercial and multi-family properties. In this consultation, staff will review codes and rules, indicate which trees need to be preserved or mitigated, and discuss any variances.

A Heritage tree is any of the following species when it measures 24 inches in diameter or greater: Texas Ash, Bald Cypress, American Elm, Texas Madrone, Bigtooth Maple, Pecan, Arizona Walnut, Eastern Black Walnut, and all Oak Trees.

Please note, only the property's registered owner/owner's agent may request a Pre-plan Submittal Consultation. A Pre-plan Submittal Consultation is different from virtual or in-person appointments scheduled through the PDC Appointment Scheduler, which are available for customers with general application questions. 


Follow these steps to request a Pre-plan Submittal Consultation through the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) Portal.

step 1   Register and Log In

You must be a registered AB+C Portal user. If you do not have an account, you can create one online on the AB+C Portal website. Once you are registered, sign in.
 

step 2   Select Permit Type

Click  Permits at the top of the page and select Apply for Permits/Cases from the drop down menu.

Visual representation of Permits location


Select Application Type Tree Ordinance Review Application, Sub Type T.O.R.A, Work Type Commercial, then click Continue.

Visual representation of New Application section


Select the correct Applicant Name from the drop-down menu and complete the Folder Description field. Include as much detail as possible about tree condition, project summary, and possible tree impacts. Select Continue.

Visual representation of Application Information section


step 3   Property Search and Select

Select the address from the Address Type drop down menu. Enter the house number and street name in the Street/Segment Number AND Street Name field. Do not include the street type (drive, road, circle, etc.). Click Search. Select the appropriate address from the search results that populate by clicking the Select button next to it. Scroll down and select Continue.

Visual representation of Select Property section

Search tips:
  • Try typing a portion of the address
    • William instead of William Cannon
  • Do not enter street type
    • Road, Drive, Circle, Street, etc.
  • Use highway abbreviations
    • IH 35, FM 2222, US 183, etc.
  • Include the number and suffix
    • 1st, 2nd, 5th, etc.
  • If your address is not showing up, confirm with 9-1-1 Addressing that it is correctly registered by calling 512-974-2797.
     

step 4     Additional Information

Select Development for the Type of Application and choose Pre-plan Submittal Development Consultation from the drop down menu for the Type of Work.

Visual representation of Type of Work section


Complete the remaining Tree Information fields and click Continue.

Visual representation of tree information fields

Identify if the tree is regulated: How to Measure a Tree

*Submitting Multiple Trees: You may list more than on tree in the species and diameter fields

  • Provide the species of each tree. (Ex: Live Oak, Live Oak, Cedar Elm)
  • Provide the diameter of each tree in corresponding order to tree species (Ex: 22, 19, 28)
  • Provide an image of each tree that shows the entire tree from root to crown. Label each image by species and diameter.

 step 5  Supporting Documents

Upload images and supporting documents including conceptual plans and tree survey. Include a sketch of the proposed work and a photo of the impacted tree from root to canopy. 

Select Browse to locate your documents, type a description of the document in the description field. Click Upload. Successfully uploaded documents will then populate at the top of the page where you can download or delete as necessary. Select “Continue” when all documents are uploaded.

Visual representation of upload documents section


  Review Application Information and Submit

This screen shows a summary of your application and fee amount. Fees will not be payable until your application passes a completeness check. Applications that qualify will automatically have the fee waived after completeness check. Click Submit.

You will receive an email confirming that your application was successfully submitted.

Visual representation of summary


When your application passes a completeness check, its status will be listed as “In Review” in the My Permits/Cases section of the AB+C Portal. A tree reviewer will be assigned to your application, and your review may take up to 10 business days.

Visual representation of confirmation


When your application passes completeness check, you will receive an email notification with instructions on how to schedule your consultation. 


Questions?

Customers with general application questions can schedule virtual or in-person appointments with City Arborist staff. Follow these steps to use the PDC Appointment Scheduler to schedule a virtual or in-person appointment.

  1. Visit the online PDC Appointment Scheduler.
  2. Under Select Department, choose “Development Services.”
  3. Under Select Category, choose “Application Questions.”
  4. Under Select Type, choose “Trees.”
  5. Select your location and language preference and click “Schedule Appointment.”
  6. Select the date and time you would like to schedule your appointment. Click “Continue.”
  7. Fill out the final screen with your contact information and the reason for your visit. Click “Schedule It.”
How to Check Permit Status
  1. Log in to your account in the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) Portal.
  2. Click My Permits/Cases.
  3. Review the Status column of the permit you are checking on.
How to Schedule a Tree Inspection
  1. Log in to your account in the Austin Build + Connect (AB+C) Portal.
  2. Click My Inspections.
  3. The next screen shows a list of permits with available inspections. 

You can also schedule an inspection by phone at 512-974-9405. You will need to provide your PIN, Permit Number, and Inspection Code. Learn more about scheduling inspections.