Fort Worth's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Fort Worth, Texas, there are 8 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.

Weed Ordinances

Fort Worth Code Sec. 11A-8 prohibits weeds taller than 12 inches on any property and adjoining parkway. The city's Code Compliance Department abates violations by mowing and charging the owner $250 plus admin fees.

Key details: Code Section: Fort Worth Code Sec. 11A-8. Trigger Height: 12 inches. Abatement Cost: $250 + admin fees. Lien Trigger: Unpaid after 30 days.

Class C misdemeanor with fines up to $500 per violation plus the $250 abatement charge. Repeated failure to maintain a lot can lead to multiple citations and substantial lien accumulation.

Native Plants

Fort Worth allows and encourages native xeriscape landscaping, and Texas Property Code Section 202.007 prevents HOAs from prohibiting drought-resistant plants and water-conserving turf.

Key details: HOA Preemption: TX Prop Code 202.007. Conservation Program: Fort Worth Water SmartFlex. Turf Replacement: Rebates available. Weed Height: Still capped at 12 inches. Recommended Plants: Texas sage, muhly, bluebonnet.

Standard native plant installations have no city enforcement risk. HOA overreach contrary to 202.007 is enforced through civil suit, with prevailing homeowners eligible to recover attorney fees. Weed-height violations for unmaintained native yards can still apply.

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

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is encouraged in Fort Worth and specifically protected from HOA restriction by Texas Property Code Section 202.007, with no city permit required for typical residential systems.

Key details: HOA Preemption: TX Prop Code 202.007. Permit (Barrels): None required. Cistern Permit: Typically over 1,000 gallons or cross-connected. Rebate Program: Fort Worth Water. Annual Rainfall: ~35 inches.

Unpermitted cross-connections to the city water supply violate TCEQ rules and can result in fines up to $25,000 per day plus disconnection. Standard rain barrel use carries essentially no enforcement risk.

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

Artificial Turf

Fort Worth allows artificial turf in residential front and backyards with no permit required, though HOAs may impose reasonable quality and appearance standards.

Key details: City Permit: None required (residential). Drainage: Must not impact neighbors. HOA Authority: May restrict (no 202.007 protection). Rebates: Not available for synthetic turf. Corners: Sight triangle still applies.

Drainage complaints from poorly installed turf can escalate to Code Compliance citations up to $500. HOA enforcement proceeds through civil court; dues assessments and fines can accrue until remedied.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Fort Worth gives residents more flexibility on artificial turf.

Grass Height Limits

Fort Worth Code Sec. 11A-8 prohibits weeds and grass over 12 inches on any property or adjacent parkway. Code Compliance issues a notice; if the owner fails to mow, the city contracts the work at $250 plus administrative fees and places a lien on the property.

Key details: Code Section: Fort Worth Code Sec. 11A-8. Maximum Height: 12 inches. Abatement Charge: $250 plus admin fees. Payment Window: 30 days before lien.

Violations are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $500 per offense in addition to the $250 abatement charge. Unpaid abatement liens accrue interest and can be foreclosed under Texas Local Government Code authority.

Water Restrictions

Fort Worth Water enforces a year-round twice-per-week watering schedule: odd addresses water Wednesday and Saturday, even addresses Thursday and Sunday. No sprinkler use is allowed between 10 AM and 6 PM. Violations are reported to 817-392-4477.

Key details: Schedule: 2 days/week (odd: Wed/Sat, even: Thu/Sun). Prohibited Hours: 10 AM - 6 PM daily. Drip / Hand Watering: Allowed any day. Reporting Line: 817-392-4477.

First violation typically results in a written warning. Subsequent violations are Class C misdemeanors with fines up to $500 per occurrence, and the city may install a flow restrictor or pursue water service termination for chronic offenders.

This is one of the stricter rules in Fort Worth's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 6.302 (Urban Forestry), as amended in April 2025, requires permits to remove protected trees during development and preserves 50% of post oak and blackjack oak canopy. Criminal fines for unlawful removal are $2,000 per tree, with civil penalties up to $1,200 per diameter inch of canopy lost.

Key details: Code Section: Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 6.302. Protected Species: 47 (post oak and blackjack oak heightened). DBH Threshold: 24 in (18 in for post/blackjack oak east of I-35W). Criminal Fine: $2,000 per tree. Civil Penalty: Up to $1,200 per diameter inch.

Each unlawfully removed protected tree carries a criminal fine of $2,000 (Class C misdemeanor), and civil penalties up to $1,200 per diameter inch of canopy removed (up from $300 before April 2025). Replacement planting is also required.

Compared to other cities, Fort Worth takes a harder line on tree removal & heritage trees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Tree Trimming

Routine trimming of trees on private property does not require a city permit under Fort Worth's urban forestry ordinance (Zoning Sec. 6.302) as long as the tree is not removed and protected post oak or blackjack oak species are not damaged. Trimming city street trees in the right-of-way requires coordination with the City Forester.

Key details: Code Section: Fort Worth Zoning Sec. 6.302. Routine Pruning Permit: Not required. Protected Species: 47 species, special post oak rules. Street Trees: Coordinate with City Forester.

Routine homeowner trimming on private property has no penalty. Damaging or improperly removing a protected tree can trigger criminal fines up to $2,000 per tree and civil penalties up to $1,200 per diameter inch of canopy removed under the 2025 urban forestry amendments.

Fort Worth is more permissive than most cities when it comes to tree trimming. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Fort Worth gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 4 of the 8 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 Fort Worth'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.