Landscaping Rules in Harris County, TX (2026)

9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Harris County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Harris County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Grass Height Limits

Harris County enforces the Texas Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Act for overgrown vegetation in unincorporated areas. Weeds and tall grass within 300 feet of residences or commercial establishments can be cited as a nuisance. Property owners get 30 days to comply after notice.

Harris County Grass Height Rules (Unincorporated)

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Trimming

Harris County has no tree trimming ordinance for unincorporated areas. Property owners may trim trees on their property without county permits. Texas common law allows trimming branches that overhang your property line up to the property boundary.

Harris County Tree Trimming Rules (Unincorporated)

Few Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Harris County has no tree removal ordinance for private property in unincorporated areas. Property owners may remove trees freely. Only public right-of-way trees require county approval. Deed restrictions may impose separate tree preservation requirements.

Landscaping: Tree Removal

Few Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

Harris County enforces the Texas Neighborhood Nuisance Abatement Act for weeds and overgrown vegetation in unincorporated areas. Weeds within 300 feet of residences or commercial establishments can be cited. Property owners get 30 days to comply after notice.

Harris County Weed Ordinances (Unincorporated)

Some Restrictions

Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 342.004, 342.005, 342.006 (Weeds and Public Nuisances)

Sec. 342.004. MUNICIPAL POWER CONCERNING WEEDS OR CERTAIN PUBLIC NUISANCES. The governing body of a municipality may require the owner of real property in the municipality to keep the property free from weeds, brush, and a condition constituting a public nuisance as defined by Section 343.011(c)(1), (2), or (3). Sec. 342.005. VIOLATION OF ORDINANCE. The governing body of a municipality may puni...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Water Restrictions

Water restrictions in unincorporated Harris County depend on the water supplier. Many areas are served by MUDs (Municipal Utility Districts) that can impose mandatory watering schedules during droughts. Harris County itself does not set watering restrictions.

Harris County Water Restrictions (Unincorporated)

Some Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Rainwater Harvesting

Texas law explicitly permits rainwater harvesting and prohibits HOAs from banning collection systems. Harris County has no local restrictions on rainwater harvesting. The state offers sales tax exemptions for rainwater harvesting equipment under Tax Code Chapter 151.

Landscaping: Rainwater Harvesting

Few Restrictions

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Native Plants

Harris County has no native plant requirements for residential landscaping in unincorporated areas. No xeriscaping mandates or native plant percentage requirements exist. Texas Property Code §202.007 protects homeowners' right to use drought-resistant landscaping against HOA restrictions.

Landscaping: Native Plants

Few Restrictions

Texas Property Code Sec. 202.007 (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 rain bar...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Artificial Turf

Harris County has no regulations on artificial turf in unincorporated areas. No county permit is required for installation. Texas Property Code §202.007 limits HOA authority to restrict water-conserving landscaping alternatives including artificial turf.

Landscaping: Artificial Turf

Few Restrictions

Texas Property Code Sec. 202.020 (Artificial Turf)

Sec. 202.020. CERTAIN SALES OF BEVERAGES BY CHILDREN. (a) A property owners' association of a residential subdivision may not adopt or enforce a restrictive covenant that prohibits or regulates, including by requiring a permit or fee, the occasional sale of lemonade or other nonalcoholic beverages from a stand on property located in the subdivision by an individual younger than 18 years of age ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Composting

Backyard composting is permitted in unincorporated Harris County. No state mandate for organic waste diversion (unlike California). Must not create nuisance conditions.