Fort Worth is doing something most cities haven’t even thought of using zoning laws to protect its trees. Not just fines. Not just rules. Real incentives that give developers reasons to work with nature instead of against it.
If you’ve ever driven through Fort Worth, you’ve probably noticed the old oak trees. Some are massive, quiet giants - post oaks and blackjack oaks that have stood through storms, heat waves, and now, an explosion of new development.
The trouble is, those trees don’t stand a chance when bulldozers show up.
And once they’re gone? You can’t just plant a new one and call it even. These trees are stubborn. They don’t transplant well. They don’t grow fast. If they vanish, they’re gone for good.
Most cities try to keep their trees with fines. You cut one down without permission? You pay. But in reality, those fines were often too low to matter. Developers made the math work in their favor, pay the fee, clear the land, build what they want.
Fort Worth saw that and decided it was time to try something different.
Instead of just saying “don’t do that,” the city is now saying, “do the right thing, and we’ll help you out.”
If developers preserve more trees, especially those old oaks, they can:
This doesn’t apply everywhere, residential areas are off-limits, but in key commercial and multifamily zones, it’s a game changer.
The city didn’t drop the stick altogether. If someone cuts protected trees without following the rules, the price just got a lot steeper.
| What Happened | Old Fine | New Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Tree Removal (per inch) | $300 | $600 |
| Post/Blackjack Oaks (per inch) | $600 | $720 |
| Canopy Area Violated (per sq ft) | $7.50 | $15–$18 |
| Criminal Fine (per tree) | $500 | $2,000 |
It’s the city’s way of saying: we’re not messing around anymore.
“This is where zoning law becomes more than just a land-use tool,” said LaShondra Stringfellow, who helps run Fort Worth’s Development Services Department. “It’s now part of our environmental enforcement strategy.”
Translation? Zoning isn’t just about where you can build a gas station or an apartment building. It’s becoming a way to shape a city’s future and protect what matters.
Jaclyn Ingram, the city’s urban forestry officer, gets it. “We’re trying to make it worth their while. If you help save the canopy, you’ll get something back.”
And that’s the key: make preservation something people want to do, not just something they have to.
Council member Gyna Bivens didn’t pull any punches. “It’s the guys who don’t follow the rules that we got to get their attention and this is the way.”
And honestly? She’s right. It’s not about punishing everyone, it’s about making sure the bad actors don’t get ahead by cutting corners.
This move could ripple out beyond Fort Worth. Other cities, especially those growing fast and losing green space might start asking: why aren’t we doing this?
Zoning doesn’t have to be just a box of old rules. With a little creativity, it can help solve some of the biggest challenges cities face.
The Fort Worth City Council votes on this new ordinance on April 22. If it passes, expect a shift not just in how trees are protected, but in how development is done.
What Is Zoning Law?
Zoning law is a legal framework used by local governments to manage land use and guide urban development. Through zoning, cities divide land into designated districts, such as residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use and apply specific regulations to each area.
These rules determine not only what types of structures can be built, but also how those structures are positioned and scaled in relation to their surroundings.
For example, zoning ordinances may regulate building height, lot size, distance from property lines (setbacks), parking requirements, and overall density. The purpose is to ensure orderly growth, minimize land use conflicts, and protect public health, safety, and welfare.
In recent years, municipalities have begun using zoning more dynamically, not just to control development, but to incentivize outcomes that align with broader public goals, such as environmental sustainability.
Fort Worth’s proposed tree ordinance is a case in point. By offering zoning incentives, like increased building height or reduced setbacks in exchange for tree preservation, the city is leveraging its zoning code as a strategic tool for conservation.
Zoning law, traditionally seen as a planning mechanism, is increasingly being recognized as a powerful legal instrument for shaping not only the built environment but also the natural one.
