Landscaping Rules in Austin, TX (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Austin, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Austin City Code Sec. 6-3-23 requires property owners to trim tree limbs hanging over a sidewalk to a minimum clearance of 14 feet above street level, measured from the nearest curbline, and bars letting a tree obstruct sidewalk use. Ignore a correction notice and the urban forester can trim or remove the tree at the owner's cost.
Austin 14-Foot Street Tree Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Sec. 6-3-23
§ 6-3-23 - PLANTING RESTRICTED BY SIDEWALKS. (A)A person may not place, maintain, or permit a tree or plant to overgrow or obstruct a sidewalk to prevent public use of the area.(B)A person shall trim tree limbs growing over a sidewalk at a minimum clearance of 14 feet above the street level measured at the nearest curbline.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Austin requires a city permit to remove any protected tree measuring 19 inches or more in diameter, and 24-inch heritage oaks, pecans, elms and other listed species get stronger protection with removal barred absent approval.
Austin Tree Protection: Permits for Protected and Heritage Trees
Significant RestrictionsAustin City Code § 25-8-602 (Definitions); see §§ 25-8-621, 25-8-641
(1) HERITAGE TREE means a tree that has a diameter of 24 inches or more, measured four and one-half feet above natural grade, and is one of the following species: (a) Ash, Texas ... (g) All Oaks (h) Pecan (i) Walnut, Arizona (j) Walnut, Eastern Black ... (3) PROTECTED TREE means a tree with a diameter of 19 inches or more, measured four and one-half feet above natural grade.
Weed Ordinances
Austin caps grass and weeds at 12 inches on private property. Anything taller is an unsanitary-condition violation under City Code Title 10-5, Article 2, and the Austin Code Department can order abatement.
Austin, Texas: Weeds and Grass Over 12 Inches Prohibited
Some RestrictionsAustin City Code Title 10-5, Article 2 (Sanitary Conditions of Real Property)
Grass and weeds must be kept below 12 inches. City code (City of Austin Code 10-5, Article 2) requires that grass and weeds be maintained below 12 inches.
Water Restrictions
Austin enforces a mandatory year-round watering schedule under City Code Chapter 6-4. Automatic irrigation systems run just one day per week, assigned by street address, and never between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Hose-end sprinklers and drip lines get two days.
Austin Water Restrictions: One-Day-a-Week Irrigation Schedule
Significant RestrictionsAustin Water Conservation Stage watering schedule (City Code Ch. 6-4)
Automatic and manual irrigation systems — 1 day per week, midnight to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight ... Hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation — 2 days per week, midnight to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight
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
Light 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 →