Landscaping Rules in Travis County, TX (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Travis County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Travis County requires a certified tree survey and tree assessment before any development permit or plat can be approved for construction that removes trees, or disturbs a tree's critical root zone, within or near an existing or proposed county road right-of-way. The rule, County Code Sec. 482.973, governs subdivision and site development activity near county roads, not tree removal on a private lot away from the right-of-way.
Travis County Tree Assessments Near Road ROW
Some RestrictionsTravis County Code Sec. 482.973 (Tree Preservation)
Applicability. This section applies to Travis County improvements and maintenance to County-owned or leased land, easements, and rights-of-way. This includes capital improvement projects or any construction improvements to County roads, bridges, parks, drainage, utilities, buildings, and parking facilities. This also includes County road, park, and facility operation and maintenance activities,...
Weed Ordinances
Travis County has no county-wide weed ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general nuisance abatement authority except under HSC 342 (unsanitary conditions) and burn ban contexts. Austin Code 10-5 addresses weeds with 12-inch height limit. HOAs and MUDs enforce locally.
Landscaping: Weed Ordinances
Few RestrictionsTex. Health & Safety Code Sec. 342.004, 342.008
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. 342.008. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO ABATE DANGEROUS WEEDS. (a) A municipality may...
Rainwater Harvesting
Texas strongly supports rainwater harvesting under TX Property Code 202.007 (HOAs cannot prohibit) and Tax Code 151.355 (sales tax exemption for equipment). Travis County and Austin offer rebates. Systems used for indoor potable supply must meet TCEQ standards. No permit needed for outdoor irrigation systems.
Landscaping: Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007
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 b...
Native Plants
Travis County strongly encourages native Hill Country plants (live oak, cedar elm, bluebonnet, Indian paintbrush, Mexican feathergrass) for water conservation. Austin Grow Green program and LCRA/LBJ Wildflower Center offer plant lists and rebates. HOAs cannot ban xeriscaping under TX Property Code 202.007.
Landscaping: Native Plants
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007 (Certain Restrictive Covenants Prohibited - 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 rai...
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is permitted throughout Travis County; no county ordinance prohibits or regulates it. Austin allows artificial turf but excludes it from landscape rebate programs (only living plants qualify). HOAs may impose aesthetic requirements but cannot ban water-conserving alternatives under TX Property Code 202.007.
Landscaping: Artificial Turf
Few RestrictionsTex. Prop. Code Sec. 202.007
Sec. 202.007. ... (c) A property owners' association may restrict the type of turf used by a property owner in the planting of new turf to encourage or require water-conserving turf. (d) This section does not: ... (5) restrict a property owners' association from regulating yard and landscape maintenance if the restrictions or requirements do not restrict or prohibit turf or landscaping design t...
Landscaping Rules by City in Travis County
2 cities in Travis County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Travis County ordinances
See every category we cover for Travis County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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