Tree Preservation

The City of Tomball’s Tree Preservation Ordinance ensures the protection of native and significant trees that enhance the natural beauty and ecological balance of our community.

The City of Tomball adopted tree preservation protections by City ordinance in early 2025. Beginning Jan. 21, 2025, all residential and commercial developments, as well as existing properties will be subject to applicable provisions of the ordinance.

Review the Tree Preservation ordinance provisions here (PDF).

Tree Removal Permits

Tree removal permits are required for any protected tree within the City of Tomball, including on both residential and commercial property. Tree removal permits can be obtained by contacting the Community Development department.

Development Requirements

The following are key requirements for tree protection during developments. Developers are encouraged to discuss the tree preservation requirements as part of a pre-development meeting.

Tree Surveys

Under the City's Tree Preservation Ordinance, a tree survey may be required. If required, tree survey shall be performed by a certified Urban Forester, Landscape Architect, or Arborist. The submitted tree survey shall include the exact size, location, condition (healthy, dead, or declining), and species of each tree that measures 18 caliper inches or larger and is listed on the City of Tomball Tree List. There are also alternatives for tree surveys, including providing documentation that there are no protected trees on a property or providing a landscape plan that shows no-disturbance tree preservation areas.

Buffer Zones

For plats submitted after Jan. 21, 2025, a buffer zone is required in the new subdivision along the common boundary between the new subdivision and the existing residential zone. The buffer zone shall be established as a platted reserve restricted exclusively for trees and landscaping, being a strip not less than 18 feet deep running parallel and adjacent to the common boundary and not less than 15 feet deep behind the back line of any easement or series of abutting parallel easements along the common boundary. Outside of any existing or proposed easement within the buffer zone, all trees and underbrush within this buffer zone, if they exist, are subject to mandatory preservation.

Tree Replacement Standards

Protected trees meeting the minimum size and species requirements shall be replaced at a rate of 1 inch caliper of new trees for every 1-inch diameter of protected trees removed. The total number of caliper inches required to be mitigated shall not exceed 100 caliper inches per acre. All replacement trees required per the mitigation ratio shall be a minimum of four (4) caliper inches. Trees must be a species listed in City of Tomball Tree List.