Laredo Tree Removal Permit Rules | LDC Section 24-83 Explained

Last reviewed October 22, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm anything important with the agency named.

Short version: Laredo's tree rules in Land Development Code Section 24-83 protect trees on public land with a caliper of 8 inches, and removing one needs city approval. Section 24-83 does not set up a removal permit for a tree on your own private lot. That doesn't mean anything goes: HOA rules, deed restrictions, nuisance orders, trees in the right-of-way and new-construction requirements can all apply. If you're unsure, ask the City of Laredo Planning & Zoning Department before anyone cuts.

Where Laredo's tree rules live

Laredo's tree rules sit in the Land Development Code (LDC), Article V, Section 24-83, “Trees and Shrubs”. This guide was checked against the official Municode version dated November 4, 2025, the current version when we reviewed it. The City also links its codes from the Planning & Zoning code and ordinances page.

The section has ten parts. Most of them deal with planting street trees when land is subdivided or built on. Only a few deal with removing trees, and those focus on public property.

Protected trees: public land, 8-inch caliper

Under Section 24-83.5(1), "all trees on public land within the city limits of Laredo with a caliper of eight (8) inches shall be considered protected trees." Caliper is the trunk diameter. On public land, the code says nobody may remove a protected tree without approval. Approval is described for these cases:

The tree is diseased, severely damaged, dead or a hazard.
The tree's location prevents reasonable access to, or lawful use of, the property.
Public work, such as new traffic lanes or utility or drainage lines that can't feasibly be rerouted, requires removal.

Replacement trees can be required, and for public-works removals they are required. Replacements must be at least 3 caliper inches and chosen from the City's recommended species list (Appendix F-1). A decision can be appealed to City Council in writing within 30 days.

Who gives approval? Ask the City

The code text assigns these approvals to a "Tree Board." However, the LDC's own definitions section, Section 24-1.7, shows the Tree Board entry as deleted by Ordinance 2007-O-089 (May 21, 2007). We could not find an official page explaining which office handles protected-tree approvals now. If your project touches a tree on public land or in the right-of-way, contact Planning & Zoning and ask who reviews it before work starts.

Trees on your own private lot

Nothing in Section 24-83 requires a city permit to remove a tree that stands entirely on private residential property. Several other rules can still apply:

Nuisance trees. Section 24-83.6(1) says a tree on private property found to be a nuisance gets a notice to abate under Chapter 21 of the City's Code of Ordinances. A dead or dangerous tree can become the owner's problem to fix.
The right-of-way. Many front yards include a strip of public right-of-way along the street. A tree there may be on public land, which brings the protected-tree rules into play. Check your plat or survey, or ask the City.
HOA and deed restrictions. Many North Laredo subdivisions have HOA rules on tree removal and replacement. These are private rules, so the City won't enforce them, but your HOA can.
New construction. Section 24-83.1 and Section 24-83.2 require street trees with new subdivisions and as a condition of many building permits: two trees per single-family lot, planted in the right-of-way or within 10 feet of a local street right-of-way. Section 24-83.2 excludes reconstruction, modification or additions to single-family homes. If your lot's street trees were required at permit time, ask before removing them.

Clearance and sight lines

The street-tree section, Section 24-83.1, includes two maintenance rules. Nothing over 24 inches tall is allowed inside the visibility triangle at intersections. Trees must be kept trimmed so that no branch hangs lower than 10 feet above the adjacent roadway. If a tree on your corner blocks drivers' view or hangs low over the street, a clearance trim is the usual fix.

Penalties

Under Section 24-83.7, each unpermitted removal or destruction of a protected tree counts as a separate violation. Violations are misdemeanors with a fine of up to $500 per violation. The code also bars damaging protected trees: no harmful substances, and no fires close enough to injure them.

Trees and power lines

The City doesn't trim trees around power lines. In Laredo, AEP Texas manages vegetation along its pole-to-pole lines and takes reports through its tree problem form. The line from the pole to your house, called the service drop, is the property owner's responsibility. See our hiring guide for how that works.

A simple checklist before removing a tree

Confirm the tree is fully on your property, not in the right-of-way or on a neighbor's side of the line.
Check HOA covenants and deed restrictions.
If it's near a street, alley, park or drainage area, ask Planning & Zoning whether it's public land.
Keep an eye out for overhead lines, and call 811 before any stump grinding or digging.
Plan where the wood goes. City brush pickup won't take whole trees over 3 inches in diameter. See the brush pickup guide.

When you're ready, request a free estimate for tree removal or stump grinding. You'll be connected with a local tree crew, who can look at the site with you.

Common questions

Do I need a city permit to remove a tree on my own property in Laredo?

Laredo's Land Development Code Section 24-83 regulates removal of protected trees on public land, meaning trees with a caliper of 8 inches. It does not set up a removal permit for a tree entirely on private residential property. HOA rules, deed restrictions, right-of-way boundaries and nuisance orders can still apply, so confirm with the City of Laredo Planning & Zoning Department if you're unsure.

What is a protected tree in Laredo?

Under LDC Section 24-83.5(1), all trees on public land within Laredo city limits with a caliper of eight inches are protected trees. Removing one requires city approval, and replacement trees of at least 3 caliper inches may be required.

What is the fine for removing a protected tree?

LDC Section 24-83.7 makes each unpermitted removal a separate misdemeanor violation, with a fine of up to $500 per violation.

Who do I contact about a tree in the right-of-way?

Contact the City of Laredo Planning & Zoning Department and ask who reviews protected-tree removals. The code refers to a Tree Board, but the LDC definitions show that entry as deleted in 2007, so the City is the best source on the current process.

Tree Removal Permits in Laredo: What the City Code Says