Grass Height Limits: Mcallen vs Pharr
How do grass height limits rules compare between Mcallen, TX and Pharr, TX?
Mcallen and Pharr have similar restriction levels.
Mcallen, TX
Hidalgo County
Mcallen enforces maximum grass and weed height. Overgrown properties subject to code compliance action and city abatement at owner’s expense.
View full Mcallen rules →Pharr, TX
Hidalgo County
Texas counties cannot zone or set a cosmetic lawn-height limit in unincorporated areas. Hidalgo County instead abates high weeds only as a public-health nuisance under Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 343: weeds over 36 inches, or weeds within 300 feet of another residence, may be ordered cut.
View full Pharr rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mcallen | Pharr |
|---|---|---|
| Max Height | 12 inches typical | - |
| Notice | 10-day compliance | - |
| Abatement | City lien if not mowed | - |
| HOA | Often stricter | - |
| County aesthetic grass limit | - | None (no county zoning) |
| Weeds definition | - | Over 36 inches (THSC 343.002) |
| Near-neighbor rule | - | Weeds within 300 ft (343.011 C(4)) |
| Program adopted | - | Commissioners Court, Aug 16 2016 |
| Applies to | - | Unincorporated area only |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mcallen FAQ
How tall can my grass be?
Most Texas cities set the limit at 12 inches. Code compliance will issue a notice if exceeded.
What if I don’t mow?
The city will mow and charge you. Costs are added as a lien on your property.
Pharr FAQ
Does Hidalgo County have a maximum grass height like a city?
No. Texas counties cannot set a cosmetic lawn-height ordinance. Weeds are abated only as a public-health nuisance under state law: over 36 inches tall, or within 300 feet of another residence. Cities in the county set their own mowing limits.
Can the county make me cut a weedy lot?
Yes, if the weeds are a nuisance under THSC 343.011. Hidalgo County's Nuisance Abatement Program addresses weedy lots in unincorporated areas after written notice, and can abate and bill the owner if it is not corrected.
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