Conroe's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Conroe, 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

Conroe runs a year-round odd-even watering schedule from May 1 through October 31 under Code of Ordinances section 70-42, even with no drought declared. Odd-numbered addresses water Tuesday and Friday, even-numbered addresses water Wednesday and Saturday, between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. A second violation in 12 months costs $200.00, rising to $500.00 for repeat offenders.

Key details: Restricted season: May 1 through October 31 each year. Odd addresses: Water Tuesday and Friday, 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.. Even addresses: Water Wednesday and Saturday, 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.. First violation: Notice or warning only. Second violation: $200.00 surcharge.

Watering outside your assigned days or hours from May through October draws a warning on the first offense in a 12-month period, then a $200.00 surcharge for the second violation, $300.00 for the third, and $500.00 for every violation after that. These are civil surcharges billed to your water account, not criminal fines, and the city can also disconnect irrigation or full water service for safety issues. Disputed surcharges must be appealed within ten days of the notice.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Conroe requires a permit before cutting down any protected tree, defined as six inches or more in trunk diameter, anywhere in the city limits. A standard removal permit covers up to five trees and expires after 30 days.

Key details: Protected tree threshold: 6 inches DBH or more. Trees per removal permit: Up to 5 named trees. Permit validity period: 30 days. Homeowner exception penalty: 5-year non-residential use ban. Exempt area: Central business district (9 blocks).

Removing a protected tree without one of the three authorized permit types is a code violation. For a homeowner-removal that falls outside the owner-occupant exception, or for any unpermitted commercial removal, the tree preservation article's mitigation and penalty provisions apply, and unlawfully cleared canopy must be replaced at twice the normal mitigation rate under Sec. 102-11(c)(3) on top of any fine.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Conroe actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Weed Ordinances

Conroe bans weeds, brush, or grass taller than 12 inches when the growth is visible from a public place and within 100 feet of a residence, public building, or commercial property. Code Enforcement can mow it, bill the owner, and lien the property.

Key details: Height limit: 12 inches. Proximity trigger: Within 100 ft of a building. Enforcing agency: Conroe Code Enforcement. Penalty: Up to $500 per day. Abatement: City mows, bills owner, liens property.

Fine up to $500 per day, with each day a separate offense. If the owner ignores the ten-day notice, Conroe mows the lot, bills the owner, and files a lien on the property that accrues 10 percent interest.

Tree Trimming

Conroe requires at least ten feet of clearance between a sidewalk and any overhanging tree, shrub or vine, and at least twelve feet of clearance over any street or highway. Property owners must keep branches trimmed back to these heights or the growth is unlawful under the code.

Key details: Sidewalk clearance: 10 feet minimum. Street clearance: 12 feet minimum. Fire hydrant setback: 7½ feet, Sec. 58-53. Corner sight-line setback: 20 feet, Sec. 58-54. Default fine: Up to $500 per Sec. 1-13.

Allowing a tree, shrub, vine or palm to overhang a sidewalk with less than ten feet of clearance, or a street with less than twelve feet of clearance, is unlawful under Secs. 58-51 and 58-52. Chapter 58 sets no specific fine, so the citywide general penalty in Sec. 1-13 applies: up to $500.00 per offense, with each day of continued encroachment a separate violation.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Texas under TX Water Code Section 11.012. Conroe has no local restrictions on rain barrels or cisterns. The city's water conservation efforts support reduced irrigation demand.

Key details: Legality: Legal (TX Water Code Section 11.012). Local Restrictions: None. HOA Ban: Prohibited by state law. Permits: May need for large cisterns with plumbing.

No violations for residential rainwater harvesting. Large installations may need building permits.

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

Native Plants

Conroe requires landscaping for new development under Chapter 102 (Vegetation). Mandatory buffer zones require a minimum density of 1 tree every 50 feet. Newly planted trees must be minimum 3-inch caliper for large/medium species or 2.5-inch caliper for small species.

Key details: Buffer Density: 1 tree per 50 feet minimum. New Home Trees: 3 minimum (1 at 4-inch, 2 at 3-inch caliper). Small Species: 2.5-inch caliper minimum. Irrigation Plan: Required by licensed irrigator.

Failure to meet landscaping requirements may delay clearing permit release and certificate of occupancy.

Artificial Turf

Conroe does not have a specific ordinance prohibiting or regulating artificial turf on residential properties. The city's vegetation ordinance (Chapter 102) focuses on tree preservation and new development landscaping requirements rather than lawn surface materials.

Key details: City Regulation: No specific artificial turf ordinance. State Law: SB 198 protects water-conserving landscaping. Maintenance Standard: Chapter 26, Sec. 26-33 (no weeds over 12 in.). HOA Rules: May have additional restrictions.

No specific violations. Artificial turf is generally permitted.

Conroe is more permissive than most cities when it comes to artificial turf. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Conroe gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 2 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 Conroe'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.