Which Seguin rule fits your property?
| Your situation | City tree permit? | Where it says so |
|---|---|---|
| House on a platted or subdivided single-family lot in Seguin | Not required | UDC Sec. 5.2.8.B.5 |
| Protected tree on unplatted acreage, commercial, multifamily or development land in Seguin | Required unless an exemption fits | UDC Sec. 5.2.8.A |
| Removing or pruning after disease, a storm, fire or an accident | Exempt | UDC Sec. 5.2.8.B.2 |
| A tree endangering the public that has to come out now | Exempt | UDC Sec. 5.2.8.B.4 |
| Clearing for farming on land with an agricultural tax exemption | Exempt | UDC Sec. 5.2.8.B.3 |
| A tree in the way of new utility lines | Exempt | UDC Sec. 5.2.8.B.6 |
| Dead, diseased or imminently dangerous tree in a Texas city | The city can't forbid removal or charge a mitigation fee, except within five miles of an active military base | Tex. Local Gov't Code §212.905(h) |
| Home inside Cibolo, Schertz or New Braunfels | That city's own tree rules | Ask that city's planning office |
| Home outside any city limits | Check with Guadalupe County before clearing near roads, drainage or a floodplain | County main line 830-303-4188 |
Which trees does Seguin count as protected?
Sec. 5.2.3.G defines a protected tree as one from the city's preferred plant list, not on its "not protected" list, that meets one of these measures, each taken 4.5 feet above natural grade:
- 6 inches in diameter or larger for canopy or large-maturing trees;
- 4 inches or larger for small-maturing trees;
- 4 inches for multi-trunk trees, figured from the largest trunk plus half the combined diameter of the others;
- any tree a bona fide local, state or national organization recognizes as historically significant.
Live oak, pecan, cedar elm, bur oak, Texas red oak, chinquapin oak, bald cypress and Texas ash are among the preferred trees. The not-protected list includes hackberry, mesquite, chinaberry, Chinese tallow, Chinese pistache, crape myrtle, palms, waxleaf privet, Chinese (Siberian) elm and all ash except Texas ash, so Arizona ash is not protected (City of Seguin plant lists, marked "Proposed updates Jan 2023"; checked Nov 14, 2026). Honey mesquite also appears on the preferred list under the same Latin name, so ask Planning about a mesquite before counting on either answer. The full species lists.
When does Seguin require a Tree Removal Permit?
Sec. 5.2.8.A says no one may "cut down, remove or destroy a protected tree," directly or indirectly, without first getting a Tree Removal Permit from the Director of Planning. The application has to give the address and location of each tree, its diameter, its species or common name, and the reason for removing it.
Under Sec. 5.2.8.C, unless other mitigation isn't practicable, the city may approve removing a protected tree that sits in the footprint of a proposed building, in the traffic pattern of a proposed development, or that is classified as exempt. The UDC's expiration table gives a Tree Removal Permit one year of life unless the Planning Director sets otherwise, with one one-year extension allowed (checked Nov 14, 2026).
What are the six exemptions in Sec. 5.2.8.B?
The code says these situations "shall be exempt from Tree Protection & Removal Permit Requirements":
- "Removing a dead, damaged or diseased tree that has been approved for removal by the City."
- "Removal and/or pruning of trees as a result of a disease, storm, fire, accident or other act of nature."
- Clearing for agricultural purposes on land held for that purpose that carries an agricultural tax exemption.
- "A tree or trees that constitute a danger to the public and immediate removal is necessary."
- "A tree or trees located on platted or subdivided single-family residential properties."
- Trees that must be altered or removed to install utility lines.
The first item mentions city approval, but a house on a platted single-family lot already falls under the fifth, and state law separately and generally keeps a city from forbidding removal of a dead or diseased tree. The city's application form repeats the same list, with the platted-lot exemption as item "e" (checked Nov 14, 2026).
What does the application ask for, and what does it cost?
The "Application for Tree Removal Permit" is listed under Other Applications on the city's Planning Applications and Fees page. Its checklist calls for a tree survey and a tree list; an agent applying for an owner needs a signed Legal Authorization by Property Owner; and its site plan section describes submitting to the Planning Department with an application for a Specific Use Permit. In other words, it is built around development projects. The form shows no fee amount, only a blank office-use line.
The UDC Schedule of Fees adopted Aug 18, 2026 and effective Aug 28, 2026 has one tree line: a "Tree Survey & Mitigation Study Fee" of $200 plus $5.00 per acre. There is no separate tree removal permit fee. A note says variance requests cover variances on zoning, tree preservation and alcohol (checked Nov 14, 2026).
Do protected trees have to be replaced?
The code's Tree Replacement Standards (Sec. 5.2.9.B) apply to any tree approved for removal unless the code says otherwise:
- protected trees are replaced with an approved tree, inch for inch of diameter;
- protected trees with a historical designation are replaced at 3 inches to 1;
- replacement trees must be at least 2 inches in diameter;
- where planting on site isn't practical, the code allows $100 per inch of diameter for each protected tree removed, deposited in the city's Tree Trust Fund, which exists to buy, grow and maintain trees within the city limits.
Separately, Sec. 5.2.9.C calls for a tree survey before a building or site development permit for any nonresidential or subdivision development (checked Nov 14, 2026).
How does Texas law limit Seguin's tree rules?
Texas Local Government Code §212.905, "Regulation of Tree Removal," was added by House Bill 7 in the 85th Legislature's first called session and took effect Dec 1, 2017. The current official text shows no later amendment, and the section has no population threshold, so it reaches every Texas city (checked Nov 14, 2026). In plain terms:
- Small trees at your own home (b). A city may not charge a tree mitigation fee for removing a tree under 10 inches in diameter, measured 4.5 feet up the trunk, on property that is an existing one- or two-family dwelling and the person's residence.
- Planting credit (c), (d), (f). A city that charges a mitigation fee must let the person apply for a credit for planting trees to offset it. Credit trees must be at least 2 inches in diameter at 4.5 feet, planted on the property or at a site both sides agree on. The credit equals the full fee at an existing one- or two-family home that is the person's residence, at least 50 percent when building or renovating a home that won't be the person's residence, and at least 40 percent for non-residential property.
- Dead, diseased or dangerous trees (h). When a tree is dead or diseased, or threatens people or property imminently or immediately, a city may neither prohibit its removal nor charge a mitigation fee for it.
- Military bases (i). The section doesn't apply to property within five miles of a federal military base in active use as of Dec 1, 2017.
Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph sits next to Schertz and Universal City, and whether any particular address in the western county falls inside that five-mile reach isn't something this page can tell you. If your home is out that way, ask the city that governs it.
What about nearby cities and the unincorporated county?
Schertz, Cibolo and New Braunfels each have their own tree rules; if you live inside one of those cities, check with that city's planning office. Outside city limits, check with Guadalupe County (main line 830-303-4188, checked Nov 14, 2026) before clearing near a road, a drainage ditch or a floodplain. Life outside the city has its own page: tree service outside Seguin city limits.
Is burning the brush allowed instead of hauling it?
Guadalupe County's Fire Marshal page showed "Burning Allowed," with the county burn ban lifted effective Oct 31, 2026 (checked Nov 14, 2026). That status changes often. When a ban is on, all outdoor burning except for agricultural purposes is prohibited. Bans are adopted by the Commissioners Court for the unincorporated county under Local Government Code §352.081; the order of Dec 3, 2025, for example, ran 90 days and made a violation a Class C misdemeanor punishable by up to $500.
Even without a ban, rules apply. The Fire Marshal notes that wind speed must be between 6 and 23 mph, and lists the penalty for an offense as a fine of $1,000 to $50,000 for an individual, up to 180 days in county jail, or both. TCEQ allows burning household waste such as branch trimmings only where the local government doesn't provide trash collection, and says not to burn during a burn ban or a red flag warning (TCEQ GI-415, Rev. 4/25). Inside Seguin, the city collects brush at the curb; check with the city before burning anything. The Fire Marshal's office is at (830) 303-8856 (checked Nov 14, 2026).
What other rules touch a tree job in Seguin?
- Brush pickup. City curbside pickup comes about once every five weeks; pieces are limited to 5 feet long, 12 inches in diameter and 40 pounds. The Brush Department is at (830) 401-2416 (Living Green in Seguin guide, 2023; checked Nov 14, 2026).
- 811. Powered digging that disturbs soil 16 inches or deeper, which can include stump grinding, needs notice at least 48 hours ahead, leaving out weekends and legal holidays. Stump grinding and 811.
- Power lines. State law keeps people and tools six feet from high-voltage lines unless the danger is guarded against; temporary clearance needs 48 hours' notice to the line's operator. Seguin homes are on City of Seguin Electric or GVEC lines. Who trims near the lines.
Once you know where your lot stands, send a request or call (830) 406-4266; it goes to one independent contractor who handles any permit the job needs.
Sources: City of Seguin Unified Development Code (adopted Mar 17, 2015, revised Jan 1, 2026); approved plant lists; Planning Applications and Fees and the tree removal application; UDC fee schedule effective Aug 28, 2026; Planning & Codes; Texas Local Government Code ch. 212; FindLaw, §212.905; Guadalupe County Fire Marshal; Dec 3, 2025 burn ban order; Guadalupe County; TCEQ GI-415; 30 TAC §111.209; Living Green in Seguin (2023); Texas Utilities Code ch. 251; Texas Health and Safety Code §752.004. All checked Nov 14, 2026.