Landscaping Rules in Denton, TX (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Denton, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
City code requires parkway trees be trimmed so no branch hangs lower than seven feet above the curb, keeping the street and sidewalk clear for vehicles and pedestrians.
Denton Parkway Tree Trimming: 7-Foot Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsSec. 18-198.
This prohibition shall not apply to trees within the parkway area which are trimmed at all times so that no branch is less than seven (7) feet above curb level or, if no curb exists, seven and one-half (7½) feet above the traveled portion of the roadway and which are planted no less than twenty-five (25) feet apart; provided, however, such trees shall not interfere with the free passage of vehi...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Denton requires a tree removal permit before clearing protected trees on development sites, mandates preserving at least 30 percent of heritage and quality tree dbh, keeps 100 percent of landmark trees, and forces replacement planting or a tree-fund mitigation fee for what comes down.
Denton Tree Preservation: Removal Permit and Mitigation Rules
Significant RestrictionsDenton Development Code § 7.7.4(H)(4)-(5) (Tree Replacement)
To determine the replacement inches required by this section, the applicant shall inventory and combine the total inches of dbh of all protected trees that are to be removed and that are located within the development impact area. This inventory shall be separated into inches of dbh removed per protected tree classification as calculated using the following replacement rates: a. Heritage Tree -...
Weed Ordinances
Denton Code Section 17-40 treats weeds the same as tall grass. Weeds exceeding 12 inches on improved lots or 18 inches on vacant lots trigger a violation notice. Noxious weeds and invasive species may be cited regardless of height if they create a public health or safety concern.
Denton Weed Ordinance
Light RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 342.004 (Municipal Power Concerning Weeds or Certain Public Nuisances)
Sec. 342.004. MUNICIPAL POWER CONCERNING WEEDS OR CERTAIN PUBLIC NUISANCES. The governing body of a municipality may require the owner of real property in the municipality to keep the property free from weeds, brush, and a condition constituting a public nuisance as defined by Section 343.011(c)(1), (2), or (3). Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.Amended by: Acts 2013, 83...
Water Restrictions
Denton requires all irrigation systems to follow a mandatory twice-weekly watering schedule under the city's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, with tighter drought-stage limits and fines up to $2,000 for violations.
Denton Twice-Weekly Irrigation Watering Schedule
Some RestrictionsSec. 28-445.
All irrigation systems shall be designed, installed, maintained, altered, repaired, serviced, and operated in a manner that promotes water conservation and adheres to sections 26-233 and 26234 of the Code of the City of Denton, Texas and the City of Denton Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan, as amended, including, without limitation, those portions ... relating to Denton's mandator...
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Texas under TX Water Code Section 16.0121. Texas Property Code 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning rainwater collection systems. Denton imposes no permit requirement for residential rainwater collection barrels or cisterns used for landscape irrigation.
Denton Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsTex. Property Code Sec. 202.007 (Certain Restrictive Covenants Prohibited - Rainwater, Drought-Resistant Landscaping)
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 bar...
Native Plants
Texas Property Code 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning water-conserving natural landscaping including native plants and xeriscaping. Denton encourages native and drought-tolerant plantings through its water conservation program. No city ordinance restricts native plant use in residential landscaping.
Denton Native Plants Landscaping
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. 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:... (4) using drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf. (b) A provision that violates Subsection (a) is void.... (d-1) A property owners' association may not unreasonab...
Artificial Turf
Denton does not prohibit artificial turf in residential landscaping. Texas Property Code 202.007 prevents HOAs from requiring natural grass or banning water-conserving landscaping alternatives. Artificial turf installations do not require a building permit but must comply with drainage and stormwater requirements.
Denton Artificial Turf Regulations
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. 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:... (4) using drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf. (b) A provision that violates Subsection (a) is void. (c) A property owners' association may restrict the type o...
Looking for Denton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Denton city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Denton County →