Landscaping Rules in Galveston County, TX (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Galveston County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Weed Ordinances
In unincorporated Galveston County, weeds are governed by Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 343: uncultivated growth over 36 inches within 300 feet of another residence or business is an abatable public nuisance. Cities like Galveston (9-inch) and League City (12-inch) set stricter limits.
Weed Ordinances in Galveston County, Texas
Light RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code §§ 343.002(11), 343.011(c)(4)
"Weeds" means all rank and uncultivated vegetable growth or matter that has grown to more than 36 inches in height... [and it is a public nuisance] allowing weeds to grow on premises in a neighborhood if the weeds are located within 300 feet of another residence or commercial establishment.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal statewide and encouraged in Texas. Galveston County sets no permit for home rain barrels, and Texas Property Code 202.007 bars homeowners associations from prohibiting a rain barrel or rainwater harvesting system, though an HOA may regulate size, color, and location.
Rainwater Harvesting Rules in Galveston County, Texas
Few RestrictionsTex. Property Code § 202.007(a)(2)
A property owners' association may not include or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits or restricts a property owner from... installing rain barrels or a rainwater harvesting system.
Native Plants
Galveston County does not regulate plant choices on private property. Texas Property Code 202.007 protects owners' right to use drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf, and an HOA cannot unreasonably deny it as aesthetically incompatible.
Native and Drought-Resistant Landscaping in Galveston County, Texas
Few RestrictionsTex. Property Code § 202.007(a)(4)
A property owners' association may not include or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits or restricts a property owner from... using drought-resistant landscaping or water-conserving natural turf.
Composting
Composting is legal and encouraged in Texas. Galveston County sets no composting rule, and Property Code 202.007 stops an HOA from banning backyard composting of vegetation or leaving grass clippings on the lawn, subject to reasonable size and location limits.
Composting Rules in Galveston County, Texas
Few RestrictionsTex. Property Code § 202.007(a)(1)
A property owners' association may not include or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits or restricts a property owner from... implementing measures promoting solid-waste composting of vegetation, including grass clippings, leaves, or brush, or leaving grass clippings uncollected on grass.
Landscaping Rules by City in Galveston County
1 cities in Galveston County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Galveston County ordinances
See every category we cover for Galveston County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Galveston County Ordinance Hub →