Landscaping Rules in Lubbock, TX (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Lubbock, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Lubbock requires every property owner to prune tree branches overhanging a street, curb, or sidewalk to a six-foot clearance and to remove dead, diseased, or hazardous trees. Non-compliant vegetation is declared a public nuisance the city can abate at the owner's cost.
Lubbock Street Tree Pruning and Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances, Sec. 16.02.008 (Pruning, corner clearance, nuisance)
(a) Every owner of any tree overhanging any street, roadway, or parkway within the city shall prune the branches so that there shall be a clear space of six (6) feet above the surface of the adjacent street, curb or sidewalk... said owners shall remove all dead or diseased trees, trees which constitute a threat to the safety of the public... (b) Any tree, shrub, bush or other woody vegetation i...
Weed Ordinances
Lubbock prohibits rank weeds, tumbleweeds, and noxious vegetation taller than 12 inches on residential and vacant lots. Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 71 designates several state noxious weeds that landowners must control.
Landscaping: Weed Ordinances
Light RestrictionsTex. Agric. Code Sec. 71.001
Sec. 71.001. QUARANTINES AGAINST OUT-OF-STATE DISEASES AND PESTS. If the department determines that a dangerous insect pest or plant disease new to and not widely distributed in this state exists in any area outside the state, the department shall establish a quarantine against the infested area at the boundaries of the state or in other areas within the state. Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 1151, ...
Water Restrictions
From April 1 to September 30, Lubbock bans city-water landscape irrigation except between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. Irrigating during those restricted daytime hours, during freezing weather, with a leaking sprinkler head or valve, or without required backflow prevention is a criminal offense enforced as a nuisance.
Lubbock Landscape Irrigation Hours: April-September
Significant RestrictionsLubbock Code of Ordinances § 22.03.133
From April 1 to September 30, landscape irrigation utilizing water, in whole or in part, obtained from the city water system, is prohibited except during the times between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. ... A person commits an offense if he knowingly or recklessly, on premises owned, leased, or managed by the person, operates a lawn or landscape irrigation system or device that: (1) Irrigates at any ...
Rainwater Harvesting
Texas strongly encourages rainwater harvesting. Homeowners may install rain barrels and cisterns without a city permit for non-potable outdoor use. Larger systems connected to potable plumbing require a licensed installer and backflow prevention.
Landscaping: Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsTWDB Innovative Water Technologies — Rainwater Harvesting (citing Tex. Tax Code 151.355; Tex. Prop. Code 202.007; HB 3391)
For centuries, people have relied on rainwater harvesting to supply water for household, landscape, livestock, and agricultural uses. Before the advent of large centralized water supply systems, rainwater was collected from roofs and stored on site in tanks known as cisterns. With the development of large, reliable water treatment and distribution systems and more affordable well drilling equip...
Native Plants
Lubbock encourages xeriscape and native West Texas plantings through Water Utilities educational programs. No ordinance mandates native plants, but drought-tolerant species are strongly recommended and not restricted by the city.
Landscaping: Native Plants
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007
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
Artificial turf is allowed on residential property in Lubbock. Texas Property Code Section 202.007 prevents HOAs from unreasonably restricting drought-resistant and synthetic landscaping. No city permit is required for residential turf installation.
Landscaping: Artificial Turf
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007
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...
Composting
Lubbock lets residents compost on-site as part of a community garden, but only inside a composting container kept well off the property lines. Under Unified Development Code Section 39.02.020(c)(4)(D), containers must sit at least 20 feet from the side and rear lot lines and 40 feet from the front line, and the garden itself must stay entirely in the rear yard.
Lubbock Community Garden Composting Setbacks
Some RestrictionsLubbock Unified Development Code § 39.02.020(c)(4)(D)
B. Location. The entirety of the community garden shall be located within the rear yard and shall not be located within any required setback. C. Screening. The entirety of the community garden shall be screened by an opaque fence. D. Composting. Composting may be performed on-site, within a composting container, subject to the following: i. Composted materials shall be generated on-site or cont...
Looking for Lubbock County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lubbock city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Lubbock County →