Landscaping Rules in Richardson, TX (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Richardson, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Richardson Code Chapter 14 requires residents to maintain grass and weeds below 12 inches on their property, including adjacent parkways and alley easements. Violations are subject to city abatement with costs charged to the owner.
Richardson Grass Height & Weed Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsTree Trimming
Richardson requires trees and bushes to be trimmed to maintain 7 feet clearance above sidewalks, 14 feet above streets and alleys, and 1 foot back from alley pavement. Vegetation must not obstruct motorist or pedestrian visibility.
Richardson Tree Trimming Requirements
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Richardson adopted a tree mitigation and preservation ordinance (Ch. 22.5) in May 2024. Protected trees are 6+ caliper inches; specimen trees are 24+ caliper inches. Removal requires replacement of 1:1 for protected and 2:1 for specimen trees. Penalty is $2,000 per tree per day.
Richardson Tree Removal & Mitigation Ordinance
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Richardson's nuisance ordinance (Ch. 14) requires all property owners to control weeds. Vegetation exceeding 12 inches is a violation. The city abates non-compliant properties and charges costs to the owner.
Richardson Weed & Vegetation Control
Heavy RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Richardson receives water from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD). Water use restrictions follow NTMWD conservation stages, which may include landscape watering schedules limiting irrigation to specific days and times based on address.
Richardson Water Conservation & Irrigation
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Richardson allows and encourages residential rainwater harvesting. Texas Property Code 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning rain barrels and cisterns, though reasonable location and color standards may apply.
Richardson Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Property Code Sec. 202.007 (Restrictive Covenants Prohibited - Composting, Rain Barrels, 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 rai...
Native Plants
Richardson encourages xeriscape and native-plant landscaping. Texas Property Code 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning drought-resistant landscaping, subject to reasonable design standards.
Richardson Native Plants and Xeriscape Rules
Few RestrictionsTex. Property Code Sec. 202.007 (Restrictive Covenants Prohibited - Composting, Rain Barrels, 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 rai...
Artificial Turf
Richardson permits artificial turf in single-family rear yards and in commercial landscape applications, with standards for quality, drainage, and installation. Front-yard use may be restricted in some zoning districts or by HOAs.
Richardson Artificial Turf Rules
Some RestrictionsTex. Property Code Sec. 202.007 (Restrictive Covenants Prohibited - Composting, Rain Barrels, 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 rai...
Looking for Dallas County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Richardson city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Dallas County →