Preservation of existing trees and associated understory.
Houston Code of Ordinances § 33-130
in effectSec. 33-130. - Preservation of existing trees and associated understory.
(a) The following procedure shall be required where credit for the preservation of existing trees and associated understory is being requested to be applied toward the total tree planting requirement pursuant to section 33-123(a) of this Code or the protected tree replacement requirement. Where such credit is being requested, the applicant shall also supply to the building official for review with the building plans a tree and associated understory preservation plan, which shall be integrated into the proposed landscape plan and shall include:
(1) Delineation of proposed limit of clearance and establishment of tree protection zones which shall extend to just outside the dripline of the tree and understory to be protected, if any;
(2) Proposed soil stabilization practices, i.e., silt fence, hay bales;
(3) The species of each tree to be preserved and for which credit is being requested;
(4) The proposed finished grade and elevation of land within six feet of or within the dripline of any tree to be preserved, whichever is greater, shall not be raised or lowered more than three inches unless compensated for by welling or retaining methods;
(5) Existing and proposed location of all trees and plant materials to be relocated at the drawing scale;
(6) A landscaping tabulation, and itemized credit requests for existing trees to be preserved which have a minimum of four inches in caliper and greater;
(7) Tree and associated understory preservation details; and
(8) Specification of ground plane treatment as either turf or sod. If a combination of both is utilized, the limit of each shall be indicated.
(b) The following tree relocation information shall be provided on the landscape plan or in a report for the transplantation of existing specimen trees when preservation credit is being requested for them. This information shall include an assessment of the cost of transplanting the trees as opposed to the potential mortality rate which may result from the attempted transplantation. If relocation is elected, the following information shall be provided:
(1) Transplanting techniques;
(2) Equipment to be utilized;
(3) Locations of existing trees and proposed locations for transplanted trees;
(4) Genus, species, caliper, height and general condition of the existing tree;
(5) Pruning and maintenance schedule and methods to be followed; and
(6) Which form of assurance of performance will be provided, i.e., executed contract, bond or assigned certificate of deposit.
(c) If preservation credit is requested, the trees shall be protected and preserved as set forth in Chapter 16 of the Infrastructure Design Manual promulgated by the Director of Houston Public Works.
(d) The department shall make recommendations to minimize damage to existing vegetation during the site construction phase. The department shall also suggest possible uses for those trees removed as a result of development such as the creation of wood chip mulch from removed hardwood trees.
(Ord. No. 03-159, § 5, 2-12-03; Ord. No. 09-84, § 11, 2-11-09; Ord. No. 2018-11, § 49, 1-10-2018)
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_DIV2BUSI_S33-130PREXTRASUNFetched: 10/26/2026