Single-family residential properties.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 33-110
in effectSec. 33-110. - Single-family residential properties.
(a) While single family residential properties are not subject to the requirements of division 2 of this article, it is the policy and requirement of the city that no final building permit inspection approval shall be given by the building official for construction of a new single-family residential house unless the property owner has complied with this section by preserving or planting a tree or trees or obtaining credit therefor, as follows:
(1) The required tree or trees, whether planted or preserved, shall be 1½ inches caliper size or larger.
(2) The required tree or trees may be either new trees that are planted in compliance with this article or trees already existing on the building site or abutting street right-of-way as hereinbelow provided that have been preserved in accordance with this article.
(3) The required tree or trees, whether newly planted or preserved, must be of species listed on the street tree list or the parking lot tree list.
(4) Except as provided in subsection (b), below, the requirement for building sites less than 5,000 square feet in size is:
a. Planting or preservation of one tree of 1½-inch caliper or larger;
b. If the tree is an existing tree that is preserved, then it may be situated anywhere on the building site or in the abutting street right-of-way;
c. If the tree is a newly planted tree, then it shall be planted in the abutting street right-of-way, unless the planning official authorizes it to be planted elsewhere on the building site upon determination after consulting with the parks and recreation director or his designee that no suitable planting site exists in the abutting street right-of-way.
(5) Except as provided in subsection (b), below, the requirement for building sites 5,000 square feet or greater in size is:
a. Planting of two new trees of 1½-inch caliper or larger; if this option is selected, then one tree must be planted in the abutting street right-of-way and the other planted either in the abutting street right-of-way or elsewhere on the building site;
b. Planting of one new tree of four-inch caliper or larger; if this option is selected, then the tree shall be planted in the abutting street right-of-way, unless the planning official authorizes it to be planted elsewhere on the building site with the written concurrence of the director of parks and recreation or his designee upon determination that no suitable planting site exists in the abutting street right-of-way;
c. Preservation of one existing tree of 1½-inch caliper or larger and planting of one new tree of 1½-inch caliper or larger; if this option is selected, then one tree must be preserved or planted in the abutting street right-of-way and the other tree shall be preserved or planted in either the abutting street right-of-way or elsewhere on the building site; or
d. Preservation of two existing trees of 1½-[inch] caliper or larger; if this option is selected, then both trees must be situated in the combined area created by the abutting street right-of-way and the building set back area of the building site.
(b) After consulting with the director of parks and recreation or his designee, the director may excuse the planting or preservation of the tree or trees otherwise required under this section and instead authorize the property owner to purchase credits under section 33-123 of this Code upon determination that the size and configuration of the property and the house do not afford sufficient space for the planting or preservation of even one tree.
(Ord. No. 03-159, § 5, 2-12-03; Ord. No. 04-1015, § 24, 9-27-04)
Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH33PLDE_ARTVTRSHSCFE_DIV1GE_S33-110SIMIREPRFetched: 10/26/2026