Landscaping Rules in Mission, TX

If you live in Mission or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Mission has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Tree Trimming

Trees in Mission's public rights-of-way and street-corner sight triangles can't have branches or foliage below 15 feet from the street gutter flow line, and low limbs blocking traffic signs are banned outright.

Key details: Minimum clearance: 15 feet above street gutter flow line. Applies to: Sight triangles and public rights-of-way. City enforcement: May enter and remove growth. Max fine: $500 per day, general penalty. Governing code: Mission Code of Ordinances Sec. 94-85.

Violating the clearance rule is a general Code violation punishable by a fine up to $500 per day, and the city can remove obstructing growth itself without owner liability.

Water Restrictions

The City of Mission assigns every address three weekly watering days by quadrant and, once the city manager declares a Stage 2 drought, limits hose-end sprinkler and automatic-system irrigation to 8:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m. under threat of penalty.

Key details: Assigned watering days: 3 days/week by quadrant. Stage 2 irrigation hours: 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.. Governing provision: Code § 114-238, § 114-239. Stage 5 response: All landscape irrigation prohibited. Enforcement: City of Mission, § 114-240.

Irrigating outside your quadrant's assigned days or the 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. window during a declared drought stage is a prohibited non-essential water use, enforced by the City of Mission under Code section 114-240.

Weed Ordinances

Mission caps grass, weeds, and brush at 12 inches on any lot, occupied or vacant, including the adjacent sidewalk. Agriculturally zoned lots get 36 inches. Code Enforcement notices you; ignore it and the city mows, bills you, then files a property lien.

Key details: Height limit: 12 inches (36 in. agricultural). Notice period: 7 days, certified mail. Administrative fee: $100 plus mowing cost. Lien interest: 10% per year until paid. Enforcing agency: Mission Code Enforcement.

Overgrown grass, weeds, or brush topping 12 inches is a public nuisance. The city abates it, bills the mowing cost plus a $100 fee, and liens the property at 10 percent annual interest.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Mission requires equivalent-caliper replacement when a preserved shade tree is approved for removal under the city's landscaping regulations.

Key details: Trigger: Building-permit landscape plan. Rule: Replace with equivalent tree caliper. Approval authority: Planning director. Preservation credit: 1 tree preserved = 2 credited. Applies to: Multi-family & nonresidential development.

Noncompliant landscape plans are not approved, which blocks issuance of a certificate of occupancy or business license for the affected premises.

The Bottom Line

Mission's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Mission is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Mission's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.