Invasive Plant Rules in Austin, TX (2026)
4 verified invasive plant rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Bamboo Restrictions
Austin does not have a specific ordinance banning bamboo. Running bamboo that spreads onto neighboring properties may be addressed as a nuisance. Texas state law does not regulate bamboo. Property owners are responsible for controlling spread.
Bamboo Restrictions in Austin
Few RestrictionsTexas Agriculture Code Sec. 71.152-71.153 (Noxious and Invasive Plants; Local Regulation)
Sec. 71.152. NOXIOUS OR INVASIVE PLANT SALE, DISTRIBUTION, OR IMPORTATION PROHIBITED. (a) A person commits an offense if the person sells, distributes, or imports into the state a noxious or invasive plant species included on the department's list described under Section 71.151. (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. (c) A person commits a separate offense for each noxious ...
Prohibited Species
Austin follows the Texas Department of Agriculture noxious weed list. The city's Environmental Criteria Manual identifies invasive species to avoid including Chinese tallow, ligustrum, Chinaberry, and giant reed. Austin prohibits these species in required landscaping for new development.
Prohibited Invasive Plant Species in Austin
Some RestrictionsTexas Department of Agriculture - Noxious and Invasive Plants; Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 71, Subchapter D; Texas Administrative Code Title 4, Chapter 19, Subchapter T, Rule §19.300(a)
What is a Noxious and Invasive Plant? Any plant species that has a serious potential to cause economical or ecological harm to the agriculture, horticulture, native plants, ecology and waterways of Texas. [...] Legislative Authority - Chapter 71, Subchapter D of the Texas Agriculture Code titled Noxious and Invasive Plants requires the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to publish a list of ...
Front Yard Gardens
Austin allows and encourages front yard vegetable gardens. Texas HB 1643 (2023) prohibits HOAs from banning vegetable gardens. Austin has no restrictions on edible landscaping in residential front yards. Community gardens are supported citywide.
Front Yard Garden Regulations in Austin
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007(a)
Sec. 202.007. CERTAIN RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS PROHIBITED. (a) A property owners' association may not include or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits or restricts a property owner from: (1) implementing measures promoting solid-waste composting of vegetation, including grass clippings, leaves, or brush, or leaving grass clippings uncollected on grass; (2) installing rain b...
Tree-of-Heaven Removal
Tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is listed as a Texas invasive species by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Austin lacks a specific tree-of-heaven ordinance, but Code 25-7 and 25-8 watershed and tree rules plus state nuisance law apply when removal is needed.
Tree of Heaven: Texas A&M AgriLife Invasive Species Guidance
Some RestrictionsLooking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Invasive Plant Rules in Travis County →