Landscaping Rules in Harris County, TX (2026)

6 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.

Tree Trimming

Trees and shrubs planted inside a Harris County road or flood-control right-of-way must stay clear of the pavement and sightlines. County rule Ch. 41, Subchapter 41B, Sec 25 requires branches trimmed to 24 inches off the curb up to a height of 15 feet along esplanades, tree trunks set back at least six feet from the curb, and a 10-foot buffer around fire hydrants.

Harris County Tree Trimming Clearance In Road ROW

Some Restrictions

Harris County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 41, Subchapter 41B, Sec 25

Centerline of tree trunk must be six feet or greater from the inside edge of curb. Tree branches shall be trimmed and maintained to a minimum of 24 inches from inside of curb to a height of 15 feet from top of curb and in accordance with ANSI standards A-300 (American National Standards for Tree Care Operations.) No trees or plantings are allowed within 10 feet of a fire hydrant. The fire hydra...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing or destroying any tree, shrub, or other plant life in a Harris County park requires the Park Superintendent's consent: there's no blanket right to trim, dig up, or take vegetation from county park land.

Harris County Park Tree Removal Needs Superintendent OK

Significant Restrictions

Harris County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 32, Sec 9

No person shall willfully destroy or remove any tree, shrub, vine, wildflower, grass, fern, moss, leaves, cones, dead or downed wood, or any other plant life within a park without the consent of or under the direct supervision of the Superintendent.

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 ↗

Rainwater Harvesting

Harris County doesn't require homeowners to install rainwater harvesting systems, but developers who use cisterns or rain barrels to meet stormwater detention requirements must follow the county's Low Impact Development design criteria, including a water budget analysis.

Harris County Rainwater Harvesting Design Credit

Light Restrictions

Harris County Code of Ordinances, Ch. 36, Appendix C (Subchapter 36D, Low Impact Development and Green Infrastructure Design Criteria), Sec 1.4 Rainwater Harvesting

Cisterns and rain barrels are designed to capture roof runoff for reuse. Cisterns reduce the runoff volume and may reduce the peak flow rate for small, frequently occurring storms. ... Development of a water budget should be conducted for maximum efficiency and is required to demonstrate how rainwater harvesting is used to reduce the storm water detention requirement.

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 ↗