Thinking about removing a tree in Grapevine? Before you pick up a saw, know that the City protects many trees and can assess fees if you remove one without approval. You want to keep your property safe and your plans on track, whether you are prepping a home for sale or tackling a backyard project. This guide explains what you can and cannot do, when permits apply, how the process works, and what it can cost. Let’s dive in.
Know Grapevine’s tree rules
Grapevine’s Tree Preservation rules live in Section 52 of the City’s Zoning Ordinance and are administered by Planning Services. Start with the City’s overview of the program on the Tree Preservation page, which also links to application forms and contacts. For precise definitions and thresholds, review the ordinance text in Section 52 of the Zoning Ordinance.
- Read the City overview: Grapevine Tree Preservation
- See legal definitions: Zoning Ordinance Section 52 — Tree Preservation
What you can do
Some routine maintenance may be allowed without a permit in certain situations. Because the details depend on tree type, size, and location, the City asks you to contact Planning Services before any removal or major work. When in doubt, call first so staff can confirm whether your plan is exempt or needs a permit. See the City’s guidance in the FAQ on whether you can remove a tree.
- Check first: City FAQ — Can I remove a tree?
What needs a permit
You may need a permit if the tree meets the City’s protected, significant, or heritage definitions, or if removal is tied to development or construction. The ordinance sets sizes, species, and measurement rules that determine if a permit and mitigation are required. If a tree poses an immediate hazard, the City treats emergencies differently, yet you should notify Planning Services right away and be ready to document the situation.
- Verify status: Section 52 — Tree Preservation definitions and rules
How the permit process works
Pre-check. Call Planning Services before you schedule work. Staff will confirm whether your situation needs a Tree Removal or Tree Preservation permit and outline next steps.
Pre-application meeting. If your project involves development or site plans, the City encourages a Pre-Application Conference so you understand submittals and timing.
Submit your application. Use the City’s Applications and Permits portal to access forms. Typical submittals include a site plan or survey showing tree locations and sizes, a reason for removal, and a mitigation plan that shows proposed replacements or a payment to the City’s Tree Reforestation Fund when on-site planting is not feasible.
Additional documents. For larger or protected trees, the City may request an arborist report or a professional tree survey. Development projects often include tree protection plans and inspections.
Decision and conditions. If approved, your permit will list required replacement trees or caliper inches to plant and any protection measures during work.
- Start here: Applications and Permits
- For complex projects: Pre-Application Conference
Costs and enforcement
If trees are removed without approval, the City assesses a reforestation payment based on an annual schedule. As an example, the City published a replacement cost of $320.41 per caliper inch for 2024. Amounts are recalculated each year, so always confirm the current rate with Planning Services. The City also notes that no Certificate of Occupancy will be issued for a site until required reforestation payments are made after unauthorized removals.
- Learn about mitigation: Grapevine Tree Preservation
- Report concerns: Code Enforcement
Emergencies and utilities
If a storm or sudden failure creates an immediate hazard, address the danger, then contact Planning Services quickly to document what happened and confirm any follow-up steps. Do not work near overhead electric lines on your own. For trees by power lines, contact the utility so line-clearance qualified crews can handle the work safely. If trees are in the public right-of-way, check the City’s right-of-way permit rules.
- Utility safety: Oncor Vegetation Management
- Right-of-way guidance: ROW Management
Tips for sellers and buyers
- If you removed a tree recently, keep your permit records and any mitigation receipts. Disclose removals and any pending obligations to avoid delays.
- If you are building or renovating, plan tree decisions early. Unpermitted removals can trigger fees and delay a closing tied to a new Certificate of Occupancy.
- Unsure if a tree is protected? Ask Planning Services and consider hiring an ISA-certified arborist for health and risk assessments.
Quick homeowner checklist
- Call Planning Services before removing or heavily pruning any tree.
- Confirm whether the tree is protected under Section 52.
- Gather site plan or survey, photos, and reasons for removal.
- If near power lines, contact the utility first.
- Check HOA rules before you act.
- Keep permits, approvals, and mitigation receipts for your records.
- Consider replanting with suitable species to maintain canopy.
Local resources
- City overview and forms: Grapevine Tree Preservation
- Ordinance details: Section 52 — Tree Preservation
- Permits portal: Applications and Permits
- Right-of-way guidance: ROW Management
- Utility tree work and safety: Oncor Vegetation Management
- Replanting help: Grapevine Tree Sharing Program
- Planting guidance: Texas A&M Forest Service
Planning a sale or purchase in Grapevine and want to avoid tree-related surprises? Reach out to the family-led team at Hunter Realty Group for local guidance and a clear plan that protects your timeline and budget.
FAQs
Do I need a tree permit in my Grapevine backyard?
- Possibly, because some trees are protected under Section 52, so the City asks you to contact Planning Services before removal to confirm if a permit or mitigation applies.
What if my contractor removed a tree without approval in Grapevine?
- The City can require a reforestation payment based on its current schedule, and it may hold a Certificate of Occupancy on development sites until payment is made.
How much are Grapevine tree replacement fees?
- The City recalculates its schedule annually; as an example, it published $320.41 per caliper inch for 2024, so call Planning Services for the current rate and how it would apply.
Who handles complaints about illegal tree removal in Grapevine?
- Code Enforcement and Planning Services handle enforcement, and you can report concerns through the City’s Code Enforcement page.
What should I do if a tree is near power lines in Grapevine?
- Do not cut it yourself, contact the electric utility so line-clearance qualified crews can perform the work safely and in compliance.
