Arlington vs Southlake
How do native plants rules compare between Arlington, TX and Southlake, TX?
Arlington, TX
Tarrant County
Arlington encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping through water-conservation programs and does not restrict homeowners from replacing turf with native plants. Texas Property Code Section 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving turf. Maintained native plantings are exempt from the 12-inch weed limit if kept in an orderly condition.
View full Arlington rules →Southlake, TX
Tarrant County
No data available yet for Southlake.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington | Southlake |
|---|---|---|
| City Permit | Not required | - |
| HOA Ban | Prohibited by §202.007 | - |
| Weed Ordinance | Managed natives exempt | - |
| Recommended Plants | Cenizo, muhly, salvia, yucca | - |
| Resource | Tarrant County Master Gardeners | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington FAQ
Can my HOA require me to keep a St. Augustine lawn in Arlington?
No. Texas Property Code Section 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning drought-resistant or water-conserving landscaping. The HOA may require a plan and impose reasonable design standards, but cannot mandate a specific thirsty turf grass.
Will I be cited for tall native grasses in my front yard?
Generally no, if the area is clearly a designed landscape feature with clean edges, mulch, or mowed borders. If the area looks neglected and mixes rank weeds like Johnson grass over 12 inches, a notice may be issued. Maintaining deliberate edges helps avoid confusion.
What are the best drought-tolerant plants for Arlington?
Good choices for the North Texas climate include Texas sage (cenizo), lantana, salvia greggii, yucca, agave, Blackfoot daisy, Gregg's mistflower, gulf muhly, little bluestem, and buffalograss. Tarrant County Master Gardeners publish free plant lists tailored to local soils.
Southlake FAQ
No FAQs available.
Compare other topics
See how Arlington and Southlake compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool