Converse's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Converse, Texas, there are 6 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.

Tree Trimming

The city can order property owners to trim or remove any tree or vegetation that overhangs a public street, sidewalk, or easement, or blocks traffic sightlines.

Key details: Authority: City manager may order removal. Trigger: Overhangs ROW, easement, or sight hazard. Compliance window: 10 to 90 days. Penalty: Citation under Sec. 1-14. Applies to: Any private-property tree or vegetation.

Ignoring a written removal order can bring a citation and prosecution under the general penalty in Sec. 1-14, plus further enforcement action by the city.

Rainwater Harvesting

Converse residents can install rainwater collection systems. Texas Property Code 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning rainwater harvesting, and SAWS offers rebates for qualifying systems in its service area.

Key details: HOA preemption: TX Prop Code 202.007. Sales tax: Exempt under 151.355. SAWS rebate: Available for qualifying. Outdoor use: Unregulated. Mosquito control: Covers required.

Converse is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rainwater harvesting. That said, there are still limits.

Native Plants

Converse encourages xeriscape and native plant landscaping to conserve Edwards Aquifer water. Texas Property Code 202.007 blocks HOAs from banning drought-tolerant landscaping.

Key details: HOA preemption: TX Prop Code 202.007. SAWS rebates: WaterSaver program. Native examples: Sage, salvia, esperanza. Code compliance: Must look maintained. Benefit: Huge water savings.

The rules around native plants in Converse lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Converse bars removal of any special or specimen tree -- the largest, healthiest trees on a lot -- without the city arborist's prior written approval, tied into the site's tree protection plan.

Key details: Approval needed: City arborist, prior written. Protected size: 20" DBH hardwood (specimen). Base fine range: $100 to $1,000 per day. Illegal removal penalty: $500 per caliper inch. Forced replacement ratio: 5:1 caliper for violations.

Municipal court offense, each day separate: $100-$1,000 fine, plus $500 per caliper inch for unauthorized removal and 5:1 caliper replacement (Sec. 18-149; Appendix A).

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

Water Restrictions

Converse bans landscape watering between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. year-round, then adds house-number watering-day schedules once Edwards Aquifer drought Stages 1-5 activate.

Key details: Off-hours ban: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily. Stage 1-2 schedule: 1 day/week by address. Leak repair window: 24 hours before shutoff. Trigger: Edwards Aquifer J-17 well level. Enforced by: Utilities Director / City Manager.

Watering outside your assigned day or the 10 a.m.-8 p.m. off-hours window is a code violation. Unrepaired leaks after 24 hours trigger a meter shutoff, and meter tampering carries fines starting at $2,000 per offense plus administrative fees.

Weed Ordinances

Converse property maintenance ordinances treat uncontrolled weeds and rank vegetation as a public nuisance. Owners must keep yards and vacant lots cleared under roughly 12 inches or face abatement.

Key details: Trigger: Growth over 12 inches. Notice: 7 to 10 days. Abatement cost: Often $100 to $300. Invasives: Priority removal targets. Natives: Encouraged if maintained.

The rules around weed ordinances in Converse lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Converse gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 of the 6 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.

Keep in mind that Converse can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.