Cedar Park's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Cedar Park, Texas, there are 7 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Water Restrictions

Cedar Park is in Stage 1 of its Drought Contingency and Water Emergency Plan (as of April 2026), limiting outdoor irrigation to two assigned days per week before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m. The plan is codified in the Code of Ordinances and escalates to Stage 3 or higher during severe drought.

Key details: Current stage: Stage 1 (April 2026). Irrigation days (even addresses): Sunday & Thursday. Irrigation days (odd addresses): Wednesday & Saturday. No-water window: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.. Hotline: 512-817-5052.

Cedar Park Utilities issues a written warning on first observation. Subsequent violations are citations issued under the Drought Contingency Plan and are Class C misdemeanors prosecuted in municipal court, generally fined up to $2,000 per violation. The City may install flow restrictors or disconnect service in egregious cases. Report violations to the water hotline (512-817-5052).

Compared to other cities, Cedar Park takes a harder line on water restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Weed Ordinances

Under Texas Health & Safety Code §342.004 and the Cedar Park Code, owners must keep property clear of weeds, brush, rubbish, and public nuisances. The City may mow, lien the property, and prosecute repeat violators as Class C misdemeanors.

Key details: State authority: Tex. HSC §342.004. Definition of nuisance: Tex. HSC §343.011. City lien authority: Tex. HSC §342.007. Code Compliance: 512-401-5100.

Failure to abate after notice can result in: (1) City-performed mowing/cleanup billed to the owner, (2) a lien filed against the property, and (3) Class C misdemeanor prosecution with fines up to $2,000 per day per Tex. HSC §342.004 and Cedar Park Code Compliance practice.

Tree Trimming

Cedar Park's Tree & Landscape Requirements (Code of Ordinances Article 14.07) protect trees 8 caliper inches and larger and designate heritage trees at 26 inches or more. Removal of protected trees requires city review and mitigation; fees-in-lieu range from $150 to $450 per inch.

Key details: Protected tree size: 8 inches diameter (DBH+1 ft). Heritage tree size: 26 inches. Fee-in-lieu (heritage): $450 per inch. Permit needed (homeowner pruning): No. State frame: Tex. Local Gov't Code §250.008.

Removing a protected tree without approval is a Class C misdemeanor under the City Code with fines up to $2,000 per tree per day. Mitigation may also be required after the fact, multiplying the financial exposure for unauthorized clearing.

Compared to other cities, Cedar Park takes a harder line on tree trimming. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Grass Height Limits

Cedar Park property owners must keep grass and weeds maintained. Under Texas HSC §342.008, the city may abate without notice weeds taller than 48 inches that pose an immediate health/safety danger; the City lists weeds over 48 inches as an immediate safety concern in its Common Violations page.

Key details: Immediate-danger threshold: 48 inches (Tex. HSC §342.008). State authority: Tex. HSC §342.004. Enforcement: Cedar Park Code Compliance, 512-401-5100. Abatement: City may mow and lien property.

First violation typically receives a written notice with a deadline to mow (commonly 7-10 days). Failure to comply allows the City to abate (mow) the property and assess the cost as a lien under Texas HSC §342.007. Criminal nuisance citations under Chapter 342 are Class C misdemeanors carrying fines up to $2,000 per day for health and sanitation violations.

Rainwater Harvesting

Cedar Park encourages rainwater harvesting. The City offers a rain barrel credit of $0.50 per gallon of storage (up to $100) for residential water customers, and HOAs may not prohibit rain barrels under Tex. Property Code §202.007.

Key details: City rebate: $0.50/gallon, up to $100. Permit required: No (residential non-potable). HOA preemption: Tex. Property Code §202.007. Barrel must be: New, dark/lined, screened.

There are no penalties for installing rainwater harvesting equipment. Failure to follow Texas plumbing code if connecting collected water to indoor potable systems can trigger separate Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) enforcement.

The rules around rainwater harvesting in Cedar Park lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Artificial Turf

Cedar Park's Code of Ordinances does not prohibit artificial turf on residential property. Installations must comply with Article 14.07 landscape requirements (minimum live-plant ground cover for regulated sites) and any drainage rules in Chapter 13. HOAs may regulate but not flatly ban artificial turf under Tex. Property Code §202.007's drought-resistant landscaping protections, where the turf qualifies.

Key details: Permit needed (homeowner): No. Counts toward landscape requirement (commercial): Generally no - live cover required. HOA preemption: Tex. Property Code §202.007. Drainage rules: Cedar Park Code Chapter 13.

There are no direct city fines for installing artificial turf. Drainage violations that cause water to pond or flow onto neighbors are enforced under City Drainage Code Chapter 13 and Texas common-law nuisance, with fines up to $2,000 per violation as a Class C misdemeanor.

The rules around artificial turf in Cedar Park lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Native Plants

Cedar Park actively promotes native and drought-tolerant landscaping through its 'Water Thrifty' program and LCRA WaterSmart rebates (up to $2,000 for turf-to-native conversion). Texas Property Code §202.007 also limits HOAs from banning drought-resistant landscaping.

Key details: Turf-to-native rebate: Up to $2,000 (LCRA WaterSmart). Preapproval required: Yes. HOA preemption: Tex. Property Code §202.007. Program: Water Thrifty Cedar Park.

There are no city penalties for installing native or drought-tolerant plants in compliance with the zoning and landscape code. Front-yard landscaping must still comply with Article 14.07 of the Code regarding minimum ground cover and tree retention on regulated sites.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Cedar Park gives residents more flexibility on native plants.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Cedar Park gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 of the 7 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Cedar Park's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.