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Sunnyvale council adopts changes to tree-protection rules, narrows agricultural exemption
Summary
The Town Council unanimously approved amendments to Unified Development Ordinance section 3.0603 on Jan. 13 that tighten tree-removal procedures, expand the list of exempt species, add penalties for unauthorized removal and create a 60‑month mitigation clawback tied to future development.
Sunnyvale’s Town Council on Monday adopted amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that revise the town’s tree protection standards, narrow a blanket agricultural exemption and add new enforcement and mitigation provisions.
Development Services Director Shuru Bassen told the council the amendments respond to clear-cutting on agricultural parcels and aim to preserve mature tree canopy for shade, drainage and habitat benefits. The ordinance change adds procedures and documentation requirements for agricultural properties that claim the state exemption under the Texas Agricultural Code; staff said the amendments keep the town in compliance with state law while creating accountability when property owners remove trees and later seek development approvals.
Under the adopted language, property owners claiming agricultural operations must submit a tree survey or canopy delineation…
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