Landscaping Rules in Fort Worth, TX (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Fort Worth, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Fort Worth's park and recreation department controls all trimming, pruning and removal of trees on city streets, alleys and public grounds, and can even enter private property to deal with a diseased or dangerous tree. A permit from the city forester is required before anyone else prunes, plants or removes a tree on public property.
Fort Worth Public Tree Trimming Authority
Some RestrictionsFort Worth City Code § 33-2
The department of park and recreation shall have the power to plant, preserve, spray, trim, cable or remove any tree, shrub or plant on any street, alley, avenue, land, lane, public ground or square belonging to the city. If any tree or any part thereof is in an unsafe condition, or is injurious to the common good, or to sewer pipes, pavements or improvements, or is infested and dangerous to ot...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Fort Worth Zoning Ordinance § 6.302 requires developers to preserve significant trees, replant trees removed during development, and meet minimum canopy targets toward a citywide 30% goal, enforced through urban forestry plans and permits by the Development Services Department.
Fort Worth Tree Preservation and Urban Forestry Rules
Significant RestrictionsFort Worth Zoning Ordinance § 6.302(a) (Urban Forestry — Purpose)
Trees have a positive economic effect on the city by enhancing property values, mitigating drainage and flooding issues, improving air quality, helping save energy, and improving health and quality of life, making the city a more attractive place in which to live, visit and do business. It is the purpose of this section to achieve 30% tree canopy coverage citywide and to promote a multi-aged ur...
Weed Ordinances
Fort Worth City Code declares any property where weeds or grass exceed 12 inches a nuisance. Owners must cut it, including the adjacent parkway; the city abates after notice and bills the owner.
Fort Worth Weeds and Grass Over 12 Inches
Some RestrictionsFort Worth City Code § 11A-8 (High Weeds and Grass Prohibited)
(a) Any property upon which weeds or grass exceed 12 inches in height, is hereby declared to be a nuisance. (b) A person commits an offense if the person owns, occupies or controls any real property upon which weeds or grass exceed 12 inches in height. (c) A person commits an offense if the person owns, occupies or controls any real property and fails to maintain the parkway adjacent to the pro...
Water Restrictions
Fort Worth limits sprinkler and irrigation-system watering to two designated days a week tied to street address, and bans watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. year-round. Hand watering, drip irrigation, soaker hoses and tree bubblers are exempt and allowed any day, any time.
Fort Worth Lawn Watering Day Restrictions
Some RestrictionsFort Worth City Code § 35-151(a)(2)
a. On a day designated as an outdoor water use day for the property's address as shown below; and b. Between the hours of 12 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on such day. 1. Residential addresses ending in an even number (0, 2, 4, 6 or 8) may water on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 2. Residential addresses ending in an odd number (1, 3, 5, 7 or 9) may water on Thursdays and Sundays...
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is encouraged in Fort Worth and specifically protected from HOA restriction by Texas Property Code Section 202.007, with no city permit required for typical residential systems.
Fort Worth Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007(a)(2)
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: ... (2) installing rain barrels or a rainwater harvesting system;(3) implementing efficient irrigation systems, including underground drip or other drip systems; or(4) using drought-r...
Native Plants
Fort Worth allows and encourages native xeriscape landscaping, and Texas Property Code Section 202.007 prevents HOAs from prohibiting drought-resistant plants and water-conserving turf.
Fort Worth Native Plant Rules
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 rai...
Artificial Turf
Fort Worth allows artificial turf in residential front and backyards with no permit required, though HOAs may impose reasonable quality and appearance standards.
Fort Worth Artificial Turf Rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007(c)-(d)
Sec. 202.007. ... (c) A property owners' association may restrict the type of turf used by a property owner in the planting of new turf to encourage or require water-conserving turf.(d) This section does not: ... (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...
Looking for Tarrant County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Worth city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Tarrant County →