A method and apparatus for performing maximum transform size control for decoding of a video sequence includes identifying, by a decoder, a high-level syntax element associated with the video sequence. A maximum transform size associated with the video sequence is determined based on identifying the high-level syntax element associated with the video sequence. The video sequence is decoded using the maximum transform size based on determining the maximum transform size associated with the video sequence. The video sequence is transmitted based on decoding the video sequence using the maximum transform size.