McKinney Tree Removal Permits and Urban Forestry Code

Land Use and Zoning Texas 3 Minutes Read · published February 21, 2026 Flag of Texas

In McKinney, Texas property owners, developers and contractors must follow municipal rules for tree removal, preservation and replacement when work affects regulated trees on private and public property. This guide explains where to find the controlling municipal code, which city office enforces tree and urban forestry rules, how to apply for permits or variances, and what to expect for inspections, penalties and appeals. Read the sections below for step-by-step actions, common violations, and official contacts to report unauthorized removals or request site inspections.

Always check permit requirements before removing any regulated tree on development sites.

Overview of Applicable Rules

McKinney regulates tree protection through its municipal code and development review standards. Developers should consult the city code and Development Services for site-specific requirements and plan review. For consolidated ordinance text see the city code publisher and for permit procedures see the city Development Services pages.[1][2]

Penalties & Enforcement

The municipal code and Development Services are the primary enforcement instruments; however specific monetary penalties and escalations are not listed verbatim on the cited summary pages and must be confirmed in the ordinance text or by contacting the enforcing department.[1]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; consult the ordinance text or Development Services for exact amounts.[1]
  • Escalation: first, repeat or continuing offences — not specified on the cited summary pages; the code text or court citations control escalation.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: removal/mitigation orders, replacement tree requirements, stop-work orders, and civil enforcement or injunctive relief are available under municipal authority.
  • Enforcer: Development Services / Code Enforcement (city contact for inspections and complaints). See official Development Services contact and permit pages to submit complaints or request inspections.[2]
  • Appeals and review: appeal routes and time limits are established in the municipal code or administrative rules; specific appeal deadlines are not specified on the cited summary pages and must be confirmed with Development Services or the ordinance text.
Document tree caliper and location on plans to avoid delays in review.

Applications & Forms

  • Tree Removal Permit or Tree Protection Plan: name and number not specified on the cited summary page; obtain application and submittal requirements from Development Services.[2]
  • Fees: fee schedules are published by the city; if not on the permit page, contact Development Services for the current fee schedule.
  • Deadlines and review timelines: project-dependent and set during plan review; inquire with Development Services for target review times.

Action steps: prepare site plans showing tree locations and diameters; submit permit application to Development Services; pay applicable fees; schedule inspection before and after removal or mitigation.

Common Violations

  • Removing regulated trees without a permit or prior approval.
  • Failure to install or maintain required tree protection fencing during construction.
  • Not following mitigation, replacement or replanting requirements ordered by the city.

How-To

  1. Confirm whether trees on your property are regulated by consulting the municipal code or contacting Development Services.
  2. Prepare a site plan showing tree species, trunk diameters (DBH), and distances to proposed work.
  3. Submit the tree removal permit application and any required tree protection plan to Development Services as part of your permit package.[2]
  4. Pay fees and await plan review; respond to requests for additional information.
  5. Schedule and pass required inspections before and after removal; comply with mitigation or replacement orders.
  6. If you receive an enforcement notice, follow appeal procedures outlined in the municipal code or contact Development Services for the deadline to appeal.

FAQ

Do I always need a permit to remove a tree in McKinney?
Not always; many removals on single-family properties may be exempt, but regulated trees on development sites, public property or trees protected by covenant typically require a permit—confirm with Development Services.[2]
What if a tree is hazardous and must be removed immediately?
Emergency removals for hazardous trees should be reported to Development Services; post-removal documentation and inspections may be required.
How are replacement trees calculated?
Replacement and mitigation are determined by species and diameter; exact formulas are specified in the municipal code or tree protection standards—see the official code text for details.[1]

Key Takeaways

  • Check permit requirements early in project planning with Development Services.
  • Document tree sizes and locations on all site plans to prevent enforcement actions.
  • Report unauthorized removals to Development Services for investigation.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of McKinney Code of Ordinances (Municode)
  2. [2] Development Services, City of McKinney

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