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Tree Service in San Marcos, TX

San Marcos overhauled its tree rules in January 2025 (Ord. 2025-01, effective 2025-01-25), moving tree protection from the prior LDC into Chapter 6 Article 4 of the new Development Code. The key scope language in § 6.4.1 is that protections apply to "all new development within the City" — meaning homeowners on a finished single-family residential lot have no DBH-based permit trigger under the Development Code. When the rules do apply (platting, site development, new construction, redevelopment), a Protected Tree is 9"–23" DBH and a Heritage Tree is 24"+ DBH; a limited-protected list (hackberry, Ashe juniper, eastern red cedar, mesquite, huisache) is unprotected below 12" DBH. Mitigation is 1:1 caliper inches for protected removals and 2:1 for heritage removals, with credits for preserving existing trees and a fee-in-lieu option. San Marcos adopts the statewide Feb 1–June 30 oak-pruning caution window (paint all fresh oak cuts at all times of year). Right-of-way vegetation clearance is a separate regime under Ord. 74.122/74.125/74.127: 8 ft clearance between property line and curb, 16 ft at street centerline, with 10 days to correct after notice. Confirm current rules with San Marcos Planning & Development Services (512-393-8230, planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov) before removal.

Tree permits in San Marcos

Ordinance
San Marcos Development Code Ch. 6 Art. 4 (Tree and Habitat Protection) — applies to new development only
Permit required at
9 inches DBH
Heritage tree at
24 inches DBH
If a protected tree comes down
Protected Tree removal = 1:1 caliper-inch replacement; Heritage Tree removal = 2:1. Existing-tree preservation credits: Protected 1/2:1, Heritage 1:1. Fee-in-lieu available when replanting isn't feasible. Applies only to development projects per § 6.4.1.
Protected species
Type 1 (all native species): Protected 9"–23" DBH, Heritage 24"+ DBH, Type 2 Limited Protected (Hackberry/Celtis occidentalis, Ashe Juniper/Juniperus ashei, Eastern Red Cedar/Juniperus virginiana, Mesquite/Prosopis glandulosa, Huisache/Acacia farnesiana): unprotected below 12" DBH; protected 12"–23" DBH; heritage 24"+ DBH, Type 3 Unprotected: any tree on the City's noxious/invasive list (no size trigger), Type 4 Hazardous: dead/declining trees certified by ISA arborist or City Urban Forester (exempt from mitigation)
Code citation
San Marcos Development Code Ch. 6 Art. 4 §§ 6.4.1–6.4.2.7 (Ord. 2025-01, eff. 2025-01-25); Ord. 74.122/74.125/74.127 (ROW vegetation clearance)
Last amended
2025-01-25

Who issues the permit: San Marcos Planning & Development Services (Urban Forester) — 512-393-8230 — planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov

Ordinance details verified 2026-04-21 against the sources below. Confirm current rules with San Marcos before removal.

Tree services we provide in San Marcos

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Other Hays County cities we serve

Austin Tree Experts service areaA simplified map of Central Texas showing 10 county outlines with Interstate 35 running north to south through them. Grey shapes are incorporated cities and towns, most of them clustered around Austin. Five places are labelled for reference: Austin at the centre, Georgetown to the north, Bastrop to the east, San Marcos to the south and Fredericksburg to the west. Two green zones sit over the map: a core service area around Austin and a wider surrounding area we also cover. San Marcos is outlined inside them. All boundaries are approximate.
Roughly where we work. The edge is approximate — if you are near it, just ask.

Tree permits in San Marcos — common questions

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Do I need a permit to remove a tree in San Marcos?

Development-triggered: Protected Tree = 9”–23” DBH, Heritage Tree = 24”+ DBH. Finished residential lots are not subject to a DBH permit trigger.

Which trees are protected in San Marcos?

Type 1 (all native species): Protected 9”–23” DBH, Heritage 24”+ DBH, Type 2 Limited Protected (Hackberry/Celtis occidentalis, Ashe Juniper/Juniperus ashei, Eastern Red Cedar/Juniperus virginiana, Mesquite/Prosopis glandulosa, Huisache/Acacia farnesiana): unprotected below 12” DBH; protected 12”–23” DBH; heritage 24”+ DBH, Type 3 Unprotected: any tree on the City’s noxious/invasive list (no size trigger), Type 4 Hazardous: dead/declining trees certified by ISA arborist or City Urban Forester (exempt from mitigation)

What does San Marcos require when a protected tree is removed?

Protected Tree removal = 1:1 caliper-inch replacement; Heritage Tree removal = 2:1. Existing-tree preservation credits: Protected 1/2:1, Heritage 1:1. Fee-in-lieu available when replanting isn’t feasible. Applies only to development projects per § 6.4.1.

Who issues tree permits in San Marcos?

San Marcos Planning & Development Services (Urban Forester) — 512-393-8230 — planninginfo@sanmarcostx.gov

Which code governs tree removal in San Marcos?

San Marcos Development Code Ch. 6 Art. 4 §§ 6.4.1–6.4.2.7 (Ord. 2025-01, eff. 2025-01-25); Ord. 74.122/74.125/74.127 (ROW vegetation clearance)

Sources