Landscaping Rules in Austin, TX (2026)
3 verified landscaping rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rainwater Harvesting
Austin strongly encourages rainwater harvesting and offers rebates up to $5,000 through Austin Water. Texas Property Code §202.007 prevents HOAs from banning rain barrels or cisterns. Building permits are required for cisterns over 5,000 gallons or connected to household plumbing.
Austin Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsTexas Property Code Sec. 202.007 (Certain Restrictive Covenants Prohibited)
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...
Native Plants
Austin's Grow Green program promotes native and adapted landscaping with a free plant guide and regional nursery partnerships. Texas Property Code §202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning drought-tolerant and native plant landscapes. New developments must meet the Chapter 25-2 native-plant list thresholds.
Austin Native Plants Rules
Some 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...
Artificial Turf
Austin allows artificial turf in residential and commercial landscapes but it is counted as impervious cover under Chapter 25-2, subject to the 40–45% impervious cover cap. Austin Water does not rebate turf replacement with plastic grass; only live native/adapted landscape qualifies.
Austin Artificial Turf Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007(d)
(d) This section does not: ... (4) prohibit a property owners' association from regulating the installation or use of gravel, rocks, or cacti; (5) restrict a property owners' association from regulating yard and landscape maintenance if the restrictions or requirements do not restrict or prohibit turf or landscaping design that promotes water conservation; ... (8) prohibit a property owners' as...
Looking for Travis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Austin city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Travis County →