Administrative Approvals.

Austin City Code tit. 6, ch. 6-3, art. 4, div. 2

in effect

Austin City Code § 6-3-71 ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL REQUIRED.

§ 6-3-71 - ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL REQUIRED. (A) Except as provided in Section 6-3-77 (Exceptions to Requirement for Administrative Approval), a person must obtain approval from the urban forester to maintain, remove or damage a tree on public property. (B) A person must complete work on a tree on public property: (1) in compliance with the terms of the administrative approval; and (2) within the time period prescribed by the administrative approval. Source: 1992 Code Sections 15-10-5(A)(1) and (3); Ord. 031023-10; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 6-3-72 APPLICATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL.

§ 6-3-72 - APPLICATION FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL. A person must file an application with the urban forester on a form approved by the urban forester not less than the fifth business day before the person intends to begin work on public property that may affect a public tree. Source: 1992 Code Section 15-10-5(A)(2); Ord. 031023-10; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 6-3-73 PROCEDURE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL.

§ 6-3-73 - PROCEDURE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL. (A) If the urban forester determines that an application for administrative approval demonstrates that proposed work on a tree on public property is in compliance with Section 6-3-6 (Standards of Care for a Tree or Plant on Public Property), the urban forester shall grant an administrative approval. An administrative approval granted under this section must contain an expiration date. (B) If the urban forester fails to act on an application for administrative approval on or before the 15th business day, an administrative approval based on the terms of the application is granted. (C) The urban forester may not charge a fee for processing an application for administrative approval. Source: 1992 Code Sections 15-10-5(A)(1), (2), and (3); Ord. 031023-10; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 6-3-74 ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL.

§ 6-3-74 - ANNUAL ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL. (A) The urban forester may grant an annual administrative approval, effective from January 1st to December 31st to an applicant who regularly maintains trees on public property. (B) An administrative approval granted under this section: (1) must require compliance with Section 6-3-6 (Standards of Care for a Tree or Plant on Public Property); and (2) may not permit removal of a public tree. (C) The urban forester may refuse to grant an annual administrative approval to a person who has violated the terms of this article. (D) A person granted an annual administrative approval must file quarterly reports with the urban forester describing the work completed during the reporting period. Source: 1992 Code Section 15-10-5(B); Ord. 031023-10; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 6-3-75 REQUIREMENT TO REPLACE TREE.

§ 6-3-75 - REQUIREMENT TO REPLACE TREE. (A) The urban forester may require a person who requests administrative approval to remove a tree on public property to plant a replacement tree or make a payment equal to the value of a replacement tree. (B) The urban forester may waive the requirements of this section if the urban forester determines that the applicant cannot afford to plant a replacement tree. (C) If a person fails to plant a replacement tree required under this section, the urban forester may plant the replacement tree and collect all charges incurred by the city from the person. (D) The urban forester shall deposit funds collected under this section in the Planting for the Future Trust in Agency Fund to plant public trees. Source: 1992 Code Section 15-10-5(D); Ord. 031023-10; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 6-3-76 REVOCATION OF APPROVAL FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.

§ 6-3-76 - REVOCATION OF APPROVAL FOR NON-COMPLIANCE. (A) The urban forester may revoke an administrative approval if the applicant fails to comply with the terms of this article, the application, the administrative approval, or a rule. (B) The urban forester shall send written notice to the applicant before approval is revoked. Notice under this section must include a statement that the applicant may request a hearing under Section 6-3-91 (Appeal of Action of Urban Forester) before approval is withdrawn. Source: 1992 Code Sections 15-10-5(A)(3) and (E); Ord. 031023-10; Ord. 031211-11.

Austin City Code § 6-3-77 EXCEPTIONS TO REQUIREMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL.

§ 6-3-77 - EXCEPTIONS TO REQUIREMENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL. (A) A city department or city contractor may maintain public trees in compliance with Section 6-3-6 (Standards of Care for a Tree or Plant on Public Property). (B) A person may remove a tree or limb if a hazardous or dangerous condition exists because the tree or limb has fallen or is in imminent danger of falling. (C) A person may remove a fallen tree or limb that blocks pedestrian or vehicular travel on a street or sidewalk. (D) A public utility may remove a fallen tree or limb or a tree or limb that is in danger of falling to restore service or prevent damage to a utility line or facility. (E) A person who complies with Section 6-3-62 (Restriction of Location of Tree on Public Property) or Section 6-3-64 (Tree Use in Capital Improvements) may perform work authorized by a site plan, subdivision development, or other development permit issued by the City. (F) The urban forester may permit a person to perform minor maintenance on a public tree in compliance with Section 6-3-6 (Standards of Care for a Tree or Plant on Public Property). Source: 1992 Code Sections 15-10-5(F) and 15-10-7 ; Ord. 031023-10; Ord. 031211-11.

Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6ENCOCO_CH6-3TRVE_ART4PUTR_DIV2ADAPFetched: 10/27/2026