Landscaping Rules in Garland, TX: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Garland or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Garland has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Weed Ordinances

Garland classifies overgrown weeds, brush, and rank vegetation over 12 inches as a public nuisance subject to city abatement, with separate provisions targeting noxious species and harborage for vermin.

Key details: Weeds, Briars, Brush: Weeds, briars, brush piles over 12" treated as nuisance. Notice Period 7-10: Notice period 7-10 days before city abatement. Costs Plus Admin: Costs plus admin fee become a property lien. Annual Blanket Notice: Annual blanket notice allowed for repeat offenders. Fines Up $500: Fines up to $500 per offense.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.342.htm) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Garland actively enforces its weed ordinances requirements.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Garland regulates tree removal on commercial and multi-family sites and in development through its tree preservation ordinance, while removal from established single-family lots is generally not permitted-restricted.

Key details: Permit & Mitigation: Permit & mitigation required for protected trees on commercial/multi-family/dev sites. Single: Single-family homeowners generally exempt for trees on their lot. Protected Size Typically: Protected size typically 6" DBH (varies by species). Right: Right-of-way trees require permit from Parks Dept. Fines Up To: Fines up to $2,000 per tree for unlawful removal.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://library.municode.com/tx/garland) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

Artificial Turf

Garland permits artificial turf in rear and side yards and as a portion of front yard landscaping, subject to product quality, drainage, and percentage limits set in the Unified Development Code.

Key details: Permanent outdoor-grade synthetic: Permanent outdoor-grade synthetic turf permitted. Permeable base required: Permeable base required to avoid runoff. Front-yard coverage limited;: Front-yard coverage limited; majority must be living/approved material. Indoor/outdoor carpet not: Indoor/outdoor carpet not allowed. Faded or torn: Faded or torn turf is a maintenance violation.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is encouraged in Garland and protected by Texas Property Code 202.007, which prevents HOAs from prohibiting properly screened rain barrels and cisterns.

Key details: No City: No city permit for typical above-ground barrels under 5,000 gal (outdoor use). Indoor-connected Systems: Indoor-connected systems require TCEQ standards & licensed plumber. Backflow Prevention: Backflow prevention required if connected to public water. Tanks Must: Tanks must be covered to exclude mosquitoes. Tx Property: TX Property Code 202.007 limits HOA bans.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.202.htm) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

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

Native Plants

Garland encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping, and Texas Property Code 202.007 prevents HOAs from prohibiting xeriscaping, drought-resistant plants, or water-conserving turf.

Key details: Landscaping: Native and drought-tolerant plants encouraged citywide. Requirements: Living-cover percentage required, but turfgrass not mandated. Limits: HOAs cannot ban xeriscaping (TX Property Code 202.007). Height Limits: Avoid invasive species (Chinese tallow, ligustrum). Water: Rebates available via Garland Water Utilities.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/PR/htm/PR.202.htm) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

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

Tree Trimming

Garland requires property owners to trim trees overhanging streets and sidewalks to maintain 14-foot street and 8-foot sidewalk clearance; right-of-way pruning by the city or a permitted contractor is required for parkway trees.

Key details: Clearance Height: 14-foot clearance over streets, 8-foot over sidewalks. Intersection Clearance: Sight-triangle clearance required at intersections. Right-of-Way Pruning: Right-of-way pruning needs Parks permit; ANSI A300 standards. Protected Trees: Topping/excessive pruning of protected trees prohibited. Utility Trimming: Utility-line trimming by Garland Power & Light / Oncor.

Grass Height Limits

Garland requires property owners to keep grass and weeds under 12 inches; taller vegetation is declared a nuisance and the city may abate at the owner's expense after notice.

Key details: Height Limits: 12-inch maximum height for grass and weeds. Notice Required: Notice period typically 7-10 days before city mows. Fees: City charges mowing cost plus admin fee as a property lien. Penalties: Repeat offenders cited without notice; fines up to $500. Standards: Applies to alleys, parkways, vacant lots, and rear yards.

Compared to other cities, Garland takes a harder line on grass height limits. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Water Restrictions

Garland enforces year-round twice-weekly outdoor watering limits with no irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. April through October, drawing water from Lake Tawakoni via the Garland water utility.

Key details: Twodayperweek Watering Yearrou: Two-day-per-week watering year-round, by address. No Sprinklers 10: No sprinklers 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 1 through October 31. Handwatering And Drip: Hand-watering and drip systems generally exempt from time-of-day rule. Drought Stages Can: Drought stages can reduce to once per week or zero. Rainfreeze Sensors Required: Rain/freeze sensors required on new automatic systems.

Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact [Garland code enforcement](https://www.garlandtx.gov/1023/Water-Conservation) directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.

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

The Bottom Line

Garland is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Garland, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Garland 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.