How Dallas Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Dallas maintains 206 local ordinances across all categories, and 7 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Dallas falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Tree Trimming

Dallas requires property owners to keep trees and other vegetation trimmed back from the right-of-way: at least 15 feet of clearance over an alley or street and 8 feet over a sidewalk. Letting branches, shrubs or vines project into that space below those heights is a criminal offense under Chapter 18 of the city code.

Key details: Clearance over alley/street: 15 feet above ground. Clearance over sidewalk: 8 feet above ground. Max fine: $2,000 per day. First-conviction minimum fine: $50. Notice before city removal: 7 days written notice.

A violation of Sec. 18-14.1 is punishable under Sec. 18-16 by a fine of not more than $2,000, with a minimum first-conviction fine of $50. Each day the violation continues is a separate offense. The minimum fine doubles for a second conviction of the same offense within 24 months and triples for a third or subsequent conviction in that period, though it can never exceed the $2,000 cap. The city may instead pursue an administrative penalty of the same range under Chapter 27, Article IV-b, as authorized by Texas Local Government Code Sec. 54.044. If the owner ignores a seven-day compliance notice, the city can cut and remove the vegetation itself under Sec. 18-17.

Weed Ordinances

Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 342 gives Dallas the power to make property owners cut their weeds, and Sec. 342.008 lets the city skip advance notice entirely and mow weeds over 48 inches tall on the spot if they are an immediate danger to health or safety. Dallas backs this with its own 12-inch nuisance limit under City Code Sec. 18-13, plus fines running from $50 to $2,000 per offense.

Key details: Fast-track height: 48 inches under Texas HSC Sec. 342.008. Local height limit: 12 inches under Dallas Sec. 18-13. Notice required normally: 7 days under Sec. 342.006. Emergency notice: Within 10 days after abatement. Hearing window: Request within 30 days, held within 20.

Letting weeds or grass top 12 inches, or leaving cuttings on the ground after mowing, is an offense under Dallas City Code Sec. 18-13, punishable by a fine between $50 and $2,000 that doubles on a second conviction and triples on a third within 24 months, per Sec. 18-16. When weeds exceed 48 inches and pose an immediate danger, Texas Health & Safety Code Sec. 342.008 lets the city mow first and notify the owner within ten days, with a lien available under Sec. 342.007 to recover the cost.

Water Restrictions

Dallas bans lawn and landscape irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 1 through October 31 under City Code Section 49-21.1, and year-round restricts sprinkler and automatic-system watering to a designated outdoor watering day tied to the property's address. Automatic systems must carry a working rain and freeze sensor.

Key details: Daytime ban: No irrigation 10 a.m.-6 p.m., April 1-Oct 31. Year-round rule: Sprinklers/automatic systems only on designated watering day. Sensor mandate: Automatic systems need a working rain/freeze sensor. Runoff and rain-watering: Also banned as a separate offense. Variance authority: Water Utilities director, hardship cases only.

Violating any part of Section 49-21.1, watering during restricted daytime hours, watering on the wrong scheduled day, letting runoff hit a street, running a system during rain, or operating one without a required rain/freeze sensor, is a criminal offense. No fine amount is set in the water code itself, so it falls under the city's general penalty, Section 13-1: up to $500 per offense, with each day of a continuing violation counted separately.

Rainwater Harvesting

Texas state law explicitly encourages rainwater harvesting and prohibits local governments from banning the practice. Dallas residents using non-potable water (rainwater, well water, or greywater) for irrigation are exempt from the city's twice-weekly watering schedule. If a permanently installed rainwater collection system is used, a building permit is required and a small purple sign indicating non-potable water use must be displayed.

Key details: State Law: TX encourages rainwater harvesting; local bans prohibited. Watering Exemption: Rainwater irrigation exempt from twice-weekly schedule. Permit: Building permit required for permanent systems. Signage: Purple sign required for non-potable water use.

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

Native Plants

Dallas encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping through its Save Dallas Water program and water conservation ordinance. The city's watering restrictions (no more than twice weekly, no watering 10 AM-6 PM April through October) incentivize native plantings that need less irrigation. Article X of the Development Code (Ch. 51A) includes landscaping requirements for commercial development that can be met with native species. Texas HB 517 limits HOA fines during water restriction periods.

Key details: Program: Save Dallas Water promotes native landscaping. Watering Rules: Twice-weekly maximum; no 10AM-6PM Apr-Oct. Development Code: Art. X landscaping requirements (Ch. 51A). HOA Protection: TX HB 517 limits fines during water restrictions.

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

Artificial Turf

Dallas does not have a specific ordinance regulating or prohibiting artificial turf installation on residential properties. Water conservation policies encourage alternatives to traditional turfgrass, including artificial turf and xeriscaping. Texas state law generally limits HOA authority to ban water-conserving landscaping methods. Artificial turf may be subject to Article X landscaping standards in commercial developments.

Key details: Local Ordinance: No specific artificial turf regulation. Water Conservation: City encourages alternatives to turfgrass. HOA Limits: TX law limits HOA restrictions on water-saving landscape. Commercial: Art. X landscaping standards may apply.

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

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing or seriously injuring a protected tree in Dallas requires either a building permit or an approved tree removal application posted at the property under Sec. 51A-10.132, reviewed by the building official against public-interest factors like the tree's health and whether the project could be redesigned to save it. Skipping that review is a separate criminal offense for every tree involved.

Key details: Permit required: Tree removal application or building permit. Posting requirement: Conspicuous at property entrances. Review authority: Dallas building official. Minimum fine per tree: $2,000 (Sec. 51A-10.139). Continuing violation fine: $2,000 per day.

Each protected tree removed or seriously injured without a posted permit or approved application is charged as its own separate offense under Sec. 51A-10.132(d). Sec. 51A-10.139 sets the fine at not less than $2,000 per tree, and not less than $2,000 per day for any other violation, on top of the mitigation replacement trees or Reforestation Fund payment the building official can order under Sec. 51A-10.137.

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

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Dallas 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.

Keep in mind that Dallas 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.