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Garland permits artificial turf in rear and side yards and as a portion of front yard landscaping, subject to product quality, drainage, and percentage limits set in the Unified Development Code.
Garland classifies overgrown weeds, brush, and rank vegetation over 12 inches as a public nuisance subject to city abatement, with separate provisions targeting noxious species and harborage for vermin.
Garland encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping, and Texas Property Code 202.007 prevents HOAs from prohibiting xeriscaping, drought-resistant plants, or water-conserving turf.
Beekeeping is permitted in Garland subject to setback, hive density, water source, and flyway barrier requirements; beekeepers must also register with the Texas Apiary Inspection Service.
Livestock such as cattle, horses, goats, sheep, and swine are prohibited on small residential lots in Garland; they may be kept only on properties zoned agricultural or meeting minimum acreage and setback standards.
Garland does not ban specific dog breeds; instead, the city follows the Texas dangerous dog statute and enforces its own dangerous-dog registration, containment, and liability-insurance requirements.
Garland prohibits keeping dangerous wild animals (big cats, bears, wolves, primates, venomous reptiles) in residential areas and enforces Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 822 Subchapter E registration requirements.
Garland allows backyard chickens with setback and coop requirements under Chapter 6 of the City Code; roosters are prohibited in residential zones and the number of fowl is limited by lot size.
Garland prohibits feeding wildlife in a manner that creates a nuisance, attracts vermin, or endangers public health, with Code Compliance authorized to order abatement around Lake Ray Hubbard and city parks.
Garland requires dogs on leash in public. Off-leash in designated parks only. License and rabies vaccination required. TX HSC §822.013 covers dogs at large.
Dallas County has no county-specific hoarding ordinance. Texas Penal Code 42.092 governs cruelty to non-livestock animals; Dallas County Sheriff investigates in unincorporated areas. Cities like Dallas and Irving handle their own cases through municipal animal services.
Dallas County has no dedicated cat ordinance. Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 826 mandates rabies vaccination for cats over four months. Dallas County HHS oversees rabies control; cities run licensing, TNR, and nuisance enforcement.
Texas does not prohibit retail pet sales statewide, and Dallas County imposes no countywide pet-store sourcing ban. Dallas City Code Section 7-3.1 limits retail sales to rescue and shelter sources, but this rule does not extend to suburban or unincorporated stores.
Texas has no statewide spay-neuter mandate, and Dallas County does not require sterilization. Cities choose their own rules: Dallas requires intact-pet permits, while many suburbs and unincorporated areas remain entirely voluntary unless an animal is adopted from a shelter.
Dallas County has no microchip ordinance, and Texas does not require microchipping pets. Cities choose their own rules; Dallas mandates microchips for dogs and cats under Chapter 7. Voluntary chipping is strongly encouraged for return-to-owner.
Dallas County coordinates coyote conflict response with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, which classifies coyotes as nongame predators. Dallas County HHS handles vector and rabies issues; cities run hazing education programs to reduce attractants and bold-coyote behavior.
Dallas County imposes no pets-per-household cap. Each city sets its own limit. Dallas allows up to six dogs and cats combined per single-family residence; suburbs vary from three to eight, often with kennel-permit options for larger numbers.
Texas does not license pet groomers, and Dallas County imposes no county groomer rule. Groomers operate under general business licensing and animal-cruelty law. Dallas County HHS only intervenes when a grooming-related rabies exposure or cruelty complaint arises.
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 801 governs veterinary licensing through the Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Dallas County does not zone clinics; cities set zoning, parking, and noise rules. Boarding or kennel uses often require additional conditional-use permits.
Native birds are protected by the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Texas Parks and Wildlife Code Chapter 64. Dallas County has no separate bird ordinance. Removing nests, eggs, or birds without a permit is a federal offense with substantial fines.
Garland Code Chapter 22, Article V sets zone-based decibel ceilings: residential 65 dBA (day) / 60 dBA (night), commercial 72/67 dBA, and industrial 85 dBA. Night runs 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Limits apply at the receiving property line.
Garland permits leaf blower use under its general noise ordinance, restricting operation to daytime hours with no specific gas-powered ban.
Aircraft noise in Garland is federally regulated by the FAA; DFW Class B airspace (~15 mi west) and Dallas Love Field (~10 mi southwest) are the main sources, with no enforceable city overflight limits.
Outdoor amplified music in Garland - including at the Granville Arts Center plaza, restaurants, and Firewheel Town Center events - is regulated by Chapter 32 noise rules and special-event permits.
Garland regulates noise from industrial uses along the I-30 and IH-635 corridors through zoning performance standards and the Code of Ordinances Chapter 32 noise provisions.
Garland restricts construction noise to daytime hours, with most loud work prohibited overnight and limited on Sundays under Chapter 32 of the Code of Ordinances.
Amplified sound in Garland is regulated under Chapter 32; sound 'plainly audible' more than 50 feet from the source after 10 PM is a violation.
Garland prohibits owning or harboring animals that make frequent or habitual noise violating sound levels in §22.69, or that unreasonably disturb neighbors. Applies to all facilities including kennels and shelters.
Garland Ch 22 noise control limits sound to no more than 15 dBA above ambient (L1 vs L90) at property boundaries. Power equipment prohibited outdoors 10 PM-7 AM. City Health Department administers the program.
Garland allows attached and detached carports with a building permit, requiring specific setbacks, materials, and limits on front-yard placement to maintain residential appearance.
Garland regulates tiny homes by foundation type and size, allowing site-built tiny homes on permanent foundations in residential zones but restricting tiny homes on wheels.
Garland regulates accessory structures under GDC Chapter 2. Rear yard setbacks of 3 feet minimum for side and rear. Must have main building on lot. Building permits may be required by size.
Garland allows garage conversions to living space with permits but requires replacement covered parking and full compliance with residential building, energy, and egress codes.
Garland charges standard development and utility fees on new dwelling units under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 395 authority. There is no Texas statewide ADU impact-fee waiver. Sharing the principal dwelling's existing water and sewer service typically avoids most impact fees; standalone connections trigger Chapter 395 water/wastewater and roadway impact fees in adopted service areas.
Garland restricts accessory dwelling units in single-family residential districts. Under the Garland Code of Ordinances Chapter 6 (Comprehensive Zoning) and the Garland Development Code, single-family districts (SF-7, SF-10, etc.) permit one dwelling unit per lot. An accessory 'servant's quarters' or guest house is permitted as an incidental use but cannot be rented as a separate household. A true detached rental ADU typically requires a Specific Use Permit (SUP) under Texas Local Government Code Ch. 211 zoning authority.
Garland's single-family residential zoning effectively requires owner-occupancy of accessory living quarters by limiting each lot to one dwelling unit. The accessory guest house or servant's quarters cannot be rented as a separate household. Where a Specific Use Permit allows a true ADU, owner-occupancy is typically imposed as an SUP condition with a recorded deed restriction. Texas has not preempted local owner-occupancy rules.
Garland's single-family zoning prohibits renting an accessory guest house as a separate household. Where an SUP authorizes a true ADU, long-term (30+ days) rental is allowed if owner-occupancy continues per SUP conditions. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are regulated under the Garland Code of Ordinances with registration and Hotel Occupancy Tax obligations. Texas LGC Sec. 214.902 preempts rent control citywide.
Garland allows accessory dwellings under GDC Section 2.51 in residential zones. Must have main building on lot. Minimum 3-foot side/rear setbacks. Front yard must match main building setback. No accessory building used as dwelling except per §2.51.
Garland is not in a designated state wildfire hazard zone, but Texas A&M Forest Service rates parts of east Garland near Lake Ray Hubbard as moderate WUI risk during drought periods.
Garland requires working smoke alarms in every dwelling unit under the adopted International Fire Code and Texas Health & Safety Code Chapter 766, with placement in each bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on each floor.
Garland prohibits open burning of yard waste and trash but allows small recreational fires in approved containers, subject to TCEQ outdoor burning rules and Garland Fire Code requirements.
Garland prohibits the sale, possession, and discharge of all consumer fireworks within city limits under Code of Ordinances Chapter 26 (Fire Prevention), with violations enforceable as Class C misdemeanors.
Garland requires property owners to keep weeds, grass, and brush below 12 inches and to clear dead vegetation that creates a fire hazard, particularly near Lake Ray Hubbard greenbelts.
Garland restricts outdoor burning within city limits per TCEQ rules. DFW ozone nonattainment area applies. Dallas County burn bans during drought. Gas fire pits generally exempt from burn bans.
Gas and propane fire pits generally allowed in Garland. Wood-burning subject to Dallas County burn bans. Standard safety clearances from structures apply. DFW ozone nonattainment area affects wood-burning recommendations.
Dallas County Fire Marshal enforces the International Fire Code Chapter 61 for propane and liquefied petroleum gas storage in unincorporated areas. Cylinders over 125 gallons require permits, and the Texas Railroad Commission licenses LPG dealers statewide.
Garland permits home occupations as accessory uses in residential zones if they remain incidental to the dwelling, generate no traffic or noise, and use no more than 25% of floor area.
Garland follows the Texas Cottage Food Law (Health & Safety Code Ch. 437), allowing home production and direct sale of certain non-potentially-hazardous foods up to $50,000 in annual gross sales without a city food permit.
Garland does not require a separate home occupation permit for most low-impact businesses but does require a city Certificate of Occupancy or business registration in some cases.
Garland limits customer visits to home businesses so traffic and parking remain consistent with normal residential use, with most ordinances restricting walk-in clientele entirely.
Garland prohibits exterior advertising signs for home businesses in residential zones, with limited exceptions for small address-style identification plaques.
In-home daycares in Garland require Texas HHSC licensing or registration plus compliance with home occupation zoning, fire safety, and parking standards.
Garland requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet (measured from bottom of footing to top), or any wall with a surcharge load, with engineered design stamped by a licensed Texas engineer.
Garland allows wood, masonry, wrought iron, vinyl, and chain link fencing in most residential zones; barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fences are prohibited, with front-yard material restrictions for aesthetics.
Garland limits residential fences to 4 feet in front yards and 8 feet in side and rear yards under the Unified Development Code, with corner-lot visibility triangle restrictions for traffic safety.
Garland fences must be structurally sound, properly anchored, maintained in good repair, and built to code-allowed materials and heights, with property maintenance enforcement for leaning, broken, or rotting fences.
Garland fences are typically the responsibility of the property owner who installed them; shared fences along property lines often involve cost-sharing under Texas common law, with the finished side facing neighbors.
Garland requires a 48-inch pool fence around any pool deeper than 18 inches, with self-closing/self-latching outward-opening gates, max 2-inch ground clearance, and openings small enough to block a 4-inch sphere (Texas Health & Safety Code Ch. 757 + adopted IRC). House-wall barriers need door alarms or a powered cover.
Garland requires a fence permit for new fences, replacements over 50% of length, and any masonry or retaining wall fence; standard wood and chain link replacements may be exempt — verify with Permits & Inspections.
Pool barriers in Garland must be at least 48 inches tall, fully enclose the pool, and meet IRC Appendix V plus Texas state pool yard enclosure standards.
Garland requires a building permit and plan review for all in-ground and most above-ground pools, with separate electrical and plumbing permits issued by Building Inspection.
Above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches in Garland require permits, barriers or removable ladders, and must meet setback rules from property lines and structures.
Garland enforces Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 757 plus IRC pool barrier standards, requiring self-closing gates, alarms on doors, and anti-entrapment drain covers.
Hot tubs and spas in Garland require building and electrical permits, must meet barrier rules unless equipped with a locking safety cover, and need GFCI protection.
Garland requires vehicles parked at single-family homes to be on an approved hard surface (concrete or asphalt driveway), with parking on lawns and unimproved surfaces prohibited under the property maintenance code.
Garland generally allows overnight on-street parking in residential areas, but restricts vehicles parked continuously in the same spot for more than 48-72 hours and prohibits commercial trucks over one ton overnight.
Garland EV charger installation requires an electrical permit; Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2157 prevents HOAs from prohibiting Level 2 chargers at owner-occupied units, subject to reasonable conditions.
Garland follows Texas Transportation Code Chapter 683, defining vehicles as junked or abandoned if inoperable, unregistered, wrecked, or left on public property over 48 hours, with removal authorized after notice.
Garland restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones with weight, size, and signage limits. Overnight heavy truck storage prohibited. TX Transportation Code §545.307 applies for overnight restrictions where posted.
Garland regulates RV, boat, and trailer storage on residential property. Must be on improved surfaces. Front yard storage may be restricted. HOAs often impose additional RV storage rules.
Garland requires all vehicles to park on improved surfaces per city ordinance. Front lawn parking is prohibited. State Transportation Code §§545.302-305 and Garland Chapters 32-33 govern parking regulations.
Texas Transportation Code Section 544.011 gives official painted curb markings the force of regulatory signs across all of Dallas County. Red curbs prohibit stopping; yellow indicates loading zones. Only the city or, in unincorporated areas, Dallas County Public Works may legally paint curbs.
Within Dallas County cities, loading zones are designated by each city's transportation department. In unincorporated Dallas County, Dallas County Public Works marks loading zones on county-maintained roads under Texas Transportation Code authority. Yellow curb plus posted sign indicates active commercial loading only.
Garland short-term rentals must collect a 7% city Hotel Occupancy Tax and the 6% Texas state HOT on stays under 30 days, totaling 13% on each booking.
Short-term rentals in Garland follow the city's general residential occupancy standards, typically limiting overnight guests to 2 per bedroom plus 2, with no large-event use permitted.
Garland does not mandate STR-specific insurance, but standard homeowner policies typically exclude commercial rental use - a commercial STR or umbrella policy is strongly recommended.
Garland currently does not operate a dedicated short-term rental registration program; hosts must still register for Hotel Occupancy Tax and may need a Certificate of Occupancy.
Garland STR guests must park in the driveway or garage; on-street parking is allowed but front-yard and blocked-sidewalk parking are prohibited under city code.
Garland does not impose a city-wide cap on the number of nights a short-term rental can operate per year; HOA rules and zoning are the main constraints.
Garland STRs must comply with the citywide noise ordinance: no plainly-audible amplified sound at 50 feet after 10 PM, with fines up to $500 per violation.
Garland requires a $500 annual single-family rental permit for STRs with mandatory annual inspections. 48-hour minimum stay. Owners must notify adjacent neighbors annually. Placard required near front door.
Dallas County does not impose a host-presence requirement for short-term rentals. Texas counties lack detailed zoning authority over residential uses, so any hosted-only or owner-on-site mandate would come from individual cities such as Dallas, Irving, or Garland — not from Dallas County government.
Dallas County does not recognize an extended home-share or hosted long-stay license tier. Texas counties lack residential-use zoning authority. Stays under thirty consecutive days fall under standard STR concepts; longer stays convert to leases governed by Texas Property Code Chapter 92 statewide.
Dallas County does not require short-term rentals to be primary residences. Texas counties lack the detailed residential-use zoning authority cities have, and no Texas statute imposes a statewide primary-residence STR rule. City-level rules in Dallas, Irving, and Plano vary; some are paused by litigation.
Dallas County operates no short-term rental strike or revocation system because it has no STR registration regime. Cities within the county — notably Dallas under Chapter 42B — maintain their own escalating-penalty frameworks. County enforcement is limited to fire-code and unincorporated nuisance abatement.
Dallas County imposes no platform-liability requirements on Airbnb, Vrbo, or similar STR hosting sites. Texas has no statewide platform mandate. City rules vary — Dallas Chapter 42B requires registration numbers in listings, but other cities are silent. Counties lack authority to regulate platforms.
Report code violations to Garland Code Compliance at 972-485-6400 or online through the City's service request system. Anonymous complaints accepted.
Most complaints are investigated within a few business days. Response times depend on severity, with life-safety issues prioritized and weed cases following state notice rules.
Frequent violations include tall grass and weeds, junk and debris, unpermitted rentals, bulk trash setout timing, parking on unapproved surfaces, and substandard structures.
Residential fences in Garland may be up to 8 feet tall in rear and side yards and up to 3.5 feet in the front yard. Permit and visibility requirements apply.
Texas is a one-party consent state: you can record a conversation you are part of. Recording others without consent may violate Penal Code Sec. 16.02.
Garland has no ordinance restricting home security cameras. Texas law allows recording of what's visible from your property but prohibits invasion of reasonable privacy.
Texas has no statewide facial recognition ban. Dallas County has not enacted any county prohibition on government or private facial recognition use. Dallas County Sheriff and DPD use various biometric tools subject to internal policy.
Texas has no statute specifically governing automated license plate readers. Dallas County Sheriff and many cities deploy ALPRs for investigations and BOLOs. Data retention and access are set by department policy and Texas public records law.
Garland does not regulate HOA assessments or collection. Texas Property Code Chapter 209 governs notice, payment plans, and foreclosure procedures.
The City does not mediate HOA disputes. Residents use internal HOA processes, civil courts, or alternative dispute resolution under Chapter 209.
Garland does not regulate HOA architectural review committees. Review standards come from each HOA's CC&Rs subject to Texas Property Code limits.
Garland does not enforce private HOA covenants. HOAs enforce CC&Rs through fines, liens, and civil actions subject to Chapter 209 limits.
Garland does not regulate HOA board procedures. HOAs operate under Texas Property Code Chapter 209 and their own governing documents.
Block parties in Garland require a free permit through Building Inspections. Residents arrange street closures through the City process.
Pavilion rentals require a reservation only. Events with vendors, ticket sales, or temporary structures need a Special Event Permit submitted 45+ business days in advance.
Parade permits in Dallas County are issued by the city where the route runs. For unincorporated routes, Dallas County Sheriff coordinates road closures and traffic control. Major parades like St. Patrick's Day are city-permitted.
Chapter 32 requires all single-family rental properties (including duplexes) to be registered with Code Compliance with an annual $65 permit fee. Multifamily properties receive annual inspections.
Tenants may report habitability or code issues to Garland Code Compliance at 972-485-6400. Retaliation for such reports is prohibited under Texas Property Code Sec. 92.331.
Chapter 32, Article I sets minimum property standards for rental housing, covering structural, plumbing, electrical, heating, sanitation, and vermin control requirements.
Dallas County does not operate a systematic rental inspection program. The City of Dallas runs Single Family Rental Registration and inspection. Other Dallas County cities have varying programs. Check your city.
Work in the public right-of-way or any permanent encroachment onto a sidewalk requires City approval through a permit, bond, and insurance.
Per City ordinance, property owners must keep adjacent sidewalks, parkways, and driveways in safe condition. Certain Type A-E thoroughfare frontages are exceptions.
Placing structures, merchandise, vegetation, or debris that obstructs the free use of public sidewalks is prohibited under Chapter 36.
Garland has no car-alarm-specific rule, but prolonged or repeated alarm sounding is covered under Chapter 22 unreasonable noise provisions.
Generators count as stationary sources under Chapter 22 and must not exceed ambient +15 dB(A) at the property line in residential areas except during emergencies.
Properly maintained residential HVAC equipment operating at manufacturer-rated sound levels is permitted even if it exceeds the general ambient limit, with Health Director approval.
Dallas County cannot regulate helicopter noise. The FAA holds exclusive jurisdiction over aircraft operations and noise under federal law. File complaints with FAA or operator; county has no enforcement authority.
Texas counties have very limited noise regulatory power. Dallas County does not impose countywide construction equipment noise limits. Cities like Dallas, Irving, and Garland set their own construction hour and decibel rules.
Engine runup noise at DFW International and Dallas Love Field is regulated exclusively by the FAA and airport operators under federal law. Dallas County has no authority to limit aircraft engine testing.
Accessory structures larger than 200 sq ft generally require a building permit under Chapter 30 and must meet Development Code setback and coverage limits.
Decks and covered patios require a building permit under Chapter 30 based on the IRC. Decks above 30 inches and any covered structure need plans and inspections.
Any structural, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical work requires a building permit from Garland. Cosmetic paint, flooring, and like-for-like cabinets are typically exempt.
Garland requires fence permits for new construction, changes in height or material, corner lots, and pool fences. Apply to Building Inspections before work begins.
Garland has no running bamboo ordinance. Bamboo is allowed, but owners are responsible for containment and must not let it cross property lines or damage neighbors.
Garland does not ban front-yard vegetable gardens. Property must remain compliant with Chapter 32 weed/height and maintenance requirements.
The Garland Development Code prohibits planting species defined as invasive (TPWD/TDA classification) in required landscape areas and references an approved tree list.
Tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is a noxious invasive in Texas but Dallas County has no removal mandate. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provides identification and control guidance. Removal is voluntary on private property.
Garland has no separate lead paint ordinance. Federal EPA RRP Rule and Texas DSHS rules govern renovation and abatement in pre-1978 housing.
Under Chapter 32 minimum property standards, multifamily and lodging operators must show proof of pest treatment within six months, by a licensed pest control operator.
Texas amended IRC R313 to make residential fire sprinklers optional for one- and two-family homes. Dallas County does not require home sprinklers in unincorporated areas, but commercial and multifamily projects must follow IFC and IBC sprinkler rules.
Daycare centers in Dallas County must be licensed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Child Care Regulation division. Dallas County HHS handles local sanitation inspections, while building safety follows IBC occupancy rules through city or county building departments.
Garland's tree preservation ordinance protects mature and protected-species trees on development sites, requiring permits to remove and mitigation through replanting or fees.
Garland's Development Code provides enhanced protection for large-caliper trees on development sites. Trees meeting the protected size threshold require additional mitigation if removed. The North Texas region supports significant native species including pecans, live oaks, and bur oaks that are valued in the development review process.
Garland has tree preservation requirements in the Development Code for development sites. Protected trees on development sites require approval before removal and mitigation. Individual homeowners removing trees on private residential lots generally do not need a permit unless in required landscape areas or protected zones.
Garland requires tree replacement when protected trees are removed during development. The Development Code specifies replacement ratios based on tree size. Replacement trees must meet minimum caliper requirements and be from approved species suited to North Texas conditions.
Dallas County does not maintain a countywide protected tree species list. The City of Dallas Article X tree ordinance and similar Irving, Plano, and Richardson rules protect specific species and sizes. Check your city.
Garland adopts the International Fire Code through the Garland Code of Ordinances and enforces it through Garland Fire Department. IFC Sec. 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers larger than 1 lb on combustible balconies or within 10 feet of combustible construction at multi-family buildings (3+ dwelling units). Single-family backyard grilling is unrestricted. Dallas County burn bans during drought do not apply to manufactured grills.
Outdoor kitchens in Garland require separate trade permits from Building Inspection: building permit for structural elements, mechanical permit for gas lines, plumbing permit for water/sinks, and electrical permit for outdoor outlets. Garland enforces the 2021 International Codes with Texas amendments. Setbacks under the Garland Development Code apply to permanent accessory structures.
Garland has no specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-family balcony smokers face the same IFC Sec. 308.1.4 prohibition as other open-flame cooking. Excessive smoke crossing property lines can be addressed under Garland's general nuisance provisions enforced by Code Compliance.
Garland has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Restrictions arise principally from HOA covenants under Texas Property Code Ch. 209 (Texas Residential Property Owners Protection Act), the Garland noise ordinance for sound-synchronized displays, and the property maintenance code for damaged fixtures. Texas Property Code Sec. 202.011 protects certain religious symbol displays.
Garland has no specific City ordinance regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. The principal restrictions come from HOA covenants under the Texas Residential Property Owners Protection Act, the Garland noise ordinance for blower/music sound, and the property maintenance code for damaged or chronically deflated displays. North Texas severe weather warrants seasonal removal.
Garland's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays at single-family homes. Political signs are protected as free speech and by Texas Election Code Sec. 259.002. HOA covenants under Texas Property Code Ch. 209 may impose private rules. Texas Property Code Sec. 202.018 protects U.S., Texas, and military service flag displays from HOA bans.
Garland offers monthly bulk trash collection for large items that do not fit in standard carts. Items include furniture, appliances, mattresses, and large yard waste. Residents set items out during their assigned bulk week. Hazardous waste, tires, and construction debris are not accepted. The city also operates a transfer station for drop-off.
Garland requires trash and recycling carts to be placed at the curb with lids facing the street. Carts must be at least 3 feet apart and clear of mailboxes, vehicles, and other obstacles. They must not block sidewalks or driveways. After collection, carts must be returned to storage by midnight.
Garland provides single-stream curbside recycling. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, plastic containers (#1-#5), aluminum and steel cans, and glass. Materials must be clean, dry, and loose in the recycling cart. Contamination may cause rejection.
Garland provides weekly curbside trash and recycling collection through its Environmental Waste Services. Residents receive city-issued roll carts. Collection occurs on assigned weekdays. Containers must be at the curb by 7:00 AM. Yard waste is collected on a separate schedule with bundled branches and bagged leaves.
Garland's Development Code establishes setback requirements by zoning district. Standard single-family residential lots typically require a 25-foot front setback, 5-foot side setbacks, and a 5-foot rear setback. Corner lots require increased side setbacks on the street side. Variances require Board of Adjustment approval.
Garland's Development Code limits building heights by zoning district. Standard single-family residential zones allow up to 35 feet. Commercial zones allow greater heights depending on the district. Properties near airfields may have additional FAA restrictions.
Garland's Development Code limits lot coverage in residential zones. Single-family zones typically allow up to 45% impervious coverage including all structures, driveways, and paved surfaces. The remaining area must be pervious landscape or open space.
Garland enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew runs from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM on school nights and midnight to 6:00 AM on weekends. There is also a daytime curfew during school hours. Exceptions include minors with a parent, traveling to/from work, or attending authorized events.
Garland city parks close at 11:00 PM and reopen at 5:00 AM unless otherwise posted. The park curfew is enforced by Garland Police. Violations may result in trespassing citations. Lighted athletic facilities with reservations may operate during scheduled hours.
Garland garage sales should be held during daylight hours. The city's noise ordinance applies to setup and sale activities. Weekend mornings are the most common times. Items must be removed after the sale concludes.
Garland does not require a formal permit for residential garage sales. Residents may hold sales on their property without purchasing a permit. Sales must comply with frequency limits and property maintenance standards.
Garland limits garage sale frequency per household per year. Exceeding limits may trigger enforcement and require a business license. Each sale is typically limited to 2-3 consecutive days.
Garland does not have a mandatory sidewalk snow clearing ordinance. Located in North Texas with a subtropical climate, Garland receives snow only occasionally. When winter weather occurs, the city focuses on clearing major roads and bridges. There is no legal obligation for residents to clear sidewalks.
Garland actively enforces property maintenance standards through its Code Compliance Division. Properties must be kept free of junk, debris, high weeds, abandoned vehicles, and dilapidated conditions. The city operates both complaint-based and proactive code enforcement. Garland has been recognized for its effective code compliance programs in maintaining neighborhood quality.
Garland requires residents to store trash containers out of public view when not placed for collection. The city provides automated curbside collection with city-issued roll carts. Containers must be placed at the curb by 7:00 AM on collection day and retrieved by midnight. Bins must not block sidewalks or driveways.
Garland requires vacant lot owners to maintain properties free of high weeds, trash, and hazardous conditions. Weeds and grass must be kept below 12 inches. The city can abate violations and place liens on the property for cleanup costs. Vacant structures must be secured to prevent unauthorized entry.
Garland permits residential garage sales with frequency limitations. Sales must be on the property with items in the yard, garage, or driveway. The city limits the number of sales per household per year. Items must not be in the street or on sidewalks, and sales should not create traffic or parking problems.
Marijuana cultivation is illegal in Texas. There is no legal home cultivation for recreational or medical marijuana. Texas has a very limited Compassionate Use Program (Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 487) for low-THC cannabis, but home cultivation is prohibited. Garland follows state law and enforces marijuana prohibitions.
Texas does not permit recreational marijuana dispensaries. The state's Compassionate Use Program allows a very limited number of licensed dispensing organizations statewide. Garland has no local dispensary zoning because recreational dispensaries are illegal. CBD products derived from hemp are legal and sold through regular retail businesses.
Texas has no recreational cannabis program, so no social-equity licensing exists in Dallas County. The state's narrow Compassionate Use Program (CUP) licenses three dispensing organizations statewide with no equity preference. Counties cannot create cannabis licenses while state prohibition stands.
Dallas County has no recreational cannabis dispensary buffer-zone rules because Texas does not allow recreational dispensaries. Compassionate Use Program (CUP) sites face no state-mandated school or daycare buffer; CBD-only retailers operate under standard commercial zoning with no buffer mandate.
Texas prohibits all recreational cannabis delivery. Compassionate Use Program low-THC products may be delivered to qualifying patients only by the three licensed dispensing organizations. Hemp-derived CBD products under 0.3% delta-9 THC may be delivered legally under TX Agriculture Code Chapter 122.
Texas prohibits all personal cannabis cultivation. Growing even one plant violates TX Health and Safety Code Section 481.120, treated as possession with intent to deliver based on plant weight. Dallas County cannot authorize home cultivation, and no patient or hobby grow exception exists under state law.
Hemp and CBD retail in Dallas County operates under standard commercial zoning per TX Agriculture Code Chapter 122, which permits hemp-derived sales. Recreational cannabis dispensaries are illegal statewide. The three Compassionate Use Program licensees are sited outside the county; counties have narrow zoning authority compared to cities.
Garland requires erosion and sediment control for all grading and construction activities under the Development Code. Erosion control plans must include best management practices such as silt fences, inlet protection, and stabilized construction entrances. Sites must maintain controls until final stabilization with permanent ground cover established.
Garland is a landlocked city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex with no coastline. Coastal development regulations do not apply. The city has no coastal zone management program or beach setback requirements. Development near Lake Ray Hubbard and local creeks is governed by floodplain management regulations.
Garland regulates stormwater management through its Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit and the Garland Development Code. The city requires new development and significant modifications to control runoff on-site through retention, detention, or infiltration systems. Sites disturbing one or more acres must obtain a TPDES permit and implement a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SW3P). Illicit discharges to the storm drain system are prohibited.
Garland regulates floodplain development under Article VII of Chapter 31 of the City Code (Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance). The city participates in the NFIP and enforces FEMA flood zone designations along Duck Creek, Rowlett Creek, and Lake Ray Hubbard shoreline areas. Construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas requires a floodplain development permit, and structures must be elevated above the base flood elevation.
Garland requires grading permits for land disturbance activities under the Development Code. All development must manage drainage to prevent adverse impacts on adjacent properties. Post-development stormwater runoff must be detained to match or reduce pre-development flow rates. The city's terrain varies from flat to gently rolling, requiring engineered drainage solutions for developments near creek corridors.
Dallas County sits within the Dallas-Fort Worth ozone nonattainment area, where TCEQ Rule 30 TAC 114.512 limits commercial heavy-duty vehicle idling to five minutes. Locally adopted by Dallas County for fleets and contractors.
Texas Health and Safety Code Section 382.0622 preempts cities and counties from banning gas-powered lawn equipment. Dallas County has no countywide gas leaf blower ban and cannot adopt one without state authorization.
Dallas County Commissioners Court has not adopted a countywide climate emergency resolution or comprehensive climate action plan. Member cities including Dallas have their own plans, but the county tier focuses on resilience and operational sustainability.
Dallas County Purchasing Department uses sustainable procurement practices, including ENERGY STAR specifications, recycled-content paper, and fuel-efficient fleet purchases. There is no binding green procurement ordinance, but administrative policies guide buyers toward eco-preferred goods.
Texas has no statewide cool roof mandate, and Dallas County applies cool roof specifications only to its own facilities through capital project standards. Private buildings follow the Texas adopted International Energy Conservation Code without specific cool roof requirements.
Texas Property Code Section 202.010 prohibits HOAs from banning solar energy devices. HOAs in Garland may adopt reasonable aesthetic guidelines but cannot effectively prohibit solar panel installation. Any restriction that increases cost by more than 10% or significantly decreases efficiency is unenforceable under state law.
Garland requires building permits for solar panel installations on residential and commercial properties. Texas Property Code Section 202.010 protects homeowners' right to install solar energy devices. Garland's building department reviews installations for structural and electrical safety. Inspections are required before utility interconnection with Garland Power & Light, the city-owned electric utility.
Texas Election Code Section 259.002 protects political sign display on private property. Garland cannot prohibit political signs on residential property. Signs must be removed by the 10th day after the election. HOAs may regulate sign size and number but cannot ban political signs under Texas Property Code Section 202.009.
Garland regulates temporary signs through its sign ordinance and the I-Sign program that targets illegal signs. Garage sale signs may be placed on the property where the sale occurs. Signs in the public right-of-way, on utility poles, or on traffic signs are prohibited and actively removed by Code Compliance through the I-Sign program.
Garland does not have specific ordinances restricting holiday displays on private residential property. Seasonal decorations are permitted as temporary displays. The city hosts Garland's annual Christmas on the Square event and has a strong holiday decorating tradition. Displays must not create traffic hazards or violate electrical safety codes.
Garland has outdoor lighting standards in the Development Code requiring shielded fixtures for new commercial and multi-family development. Lighting must be directed downward to minimize glare and sky glow. While not a Dark Sky designated community, Garland's standards promote responsible lighting for new development projects.
Garland's Development Code includes provisions to prevent light trespass. Outdoor lighting for new development must not unreasonably spill onto adjacent properties. Residents may file nuisance complaints about excessive light from neighbors through Code Compliance.
Garland has NO local rent control ordinance. Tex. Local Gov't Code § 214.902 preempts Texas cities from enacting rent control absent a declared disaster-related housing emergency and governor approval. The Garland Code of Ordinances contains no rent stabilization chapter.
Garland has NO local just-cause eviction ordinance. Texas is a no-cause termination state under Tex. Prop. Code § 91.001 — a month-to-month tenancy may be ended by either party on 30 days' written notice without stating a reason. Fixed-term leases may be terminated for breach under Tex. Prop. Code Ch. 24.
Garland does not require a general rental property registration. Texas has no statewide rental registration mandate. Landlords must comply with Texas Property Code disclosure requirements and maintain properties to city code standards. Some multi-family properties may face additional requirements through targeted enforcement.
Texas has no statewide tenant relocation assistance law, and Dallas County has no county-level relocation ordinance. Tenants displaced by no-fault terminations, condemnation, or sale generally receive no county-mandated payment, though the federal Uniform Relocation Act may apply when federal funds are used.
Texas Property Code Sections 92.101 through 92.110 set statewide security-deposit rules for all Dallas County rentals. Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized list of deductions. The county does not impose stricter local limits; state law preempts deposit regulation.
Texas has no statewide source of income protection, and Dallas County has not adopted a county-level rule covering its 25 cities. Only the City of Dallas, through 2020 Chapter 46 amendments, bars source of income discrimination; voucher holders elsewhere in the county lack local protection.
Dallas County does not regulate cash-for-keys voluntary buyout agreements. Texas Property Code Chapter 92 governs landlord-tenant relations and allows landlords and tenants to negotiate any voluntary surrender of possession in exchange for payment, without county-mandated disclosure forms or cooling-off periods.
Dallas County has not adopted a comprehensive tenant anti-harassment ordinance. Tenants countywide rely on Texas Property Code Section 92.331 retaliation rules and Section 92.0081 lockout and utility-shutoff protections, with city-level civil rights ordinances providing additional coverage in some Dallas County cities.
Texas allows landlords to end fixed-term leases at expiration and to terminate month-to-month tenancies with at least 30 days' written notice for any lawful reason. Dallas County has no just-cause requirement and no county ordinance restricting end-of-lease nonrenewal.
Texas Property Code governs landlord-tenant rent and fee terms statewide. Dallas County has no ordinance restricting how landlords pass through utility, trash, pest, or amenity costs, so the lease contract and Property Code Chapter 92 disclosure rules generally control disclosure and amount.
The Dallas County Housing Authority administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers for tenants outside the City of Dallas. Separate housing authorities serve Dallas, Irving, Mesquite, Plano, and Garland. Landlords may refuse vouchers in most Dallas County jurisdictions because Texas and the county have no source of income protection.
Recreational drone use in Garland is governed by FAA regulations. Texas Government Code Chapter 423 restricts drone surveillance over private property. Drones must be registered, flown below 400 feet, and kept within visual line of sight. Garland is near Dallas Love Field and DFW Airport, creating controlled airspace requiring LAANC authorization in some areas.
Commercial drone operations in Garland require an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Operators must check airspace near DFW and Love Field airports. Texas provides exemptions for licensed real estate brokers, insurance adjusters, and utilities while maintaining privacy protections.
Dallas County Parks generally prohibit recreational drone takeoff and landing without authorization. The FAA preempts airspace regulation, but counties may restrict ground-based drone operations on park property they own.
Drone flights near DFW International, Dallas Love Field, and Addison Airport require FAA authorization through LAANC or DroneZone. Controlled airspace covers most of Dallas County. Recreational and commercial pilots must request approval.
Garland requires mobile food vendors to obtain a city permit and a Dallas County Health Department food service permit. Food trucks must pass health inspections and maintain food handler certifications. The city has been working to accommodate food trucks while maintaining health and safety standards.
Garland allows food trucks on private commercial property with owner permission. Food trucks operate at city events and on commercial lots. Vending in residential zones is generally restricted. The downtown Garland square area and Firewheel Town Center vicinity see food truck activity.
Garland requires door-to-door solicitors and peddlers to obtain a permit with background check and identification badge. Solicitors must carry and display their permit while canvassing. Religious, political, and charitable organizations are exempt. The city actively enforces solicitation regulations.
Garland maintains a no-knock/no-soliciting registry that residents can join. Solicitors who ignore posted No Soliciting signs or contact registered addresses face fines. The city actively enforces these protections, making Garland one of the more proactive DFW-area cities for solicitation enforcement.
Texas Government Code section 229.001 preempts city firearm rules, and section 236.002 imposes an even stricter ban on counties. Dallas County Commissioners cannot regulate ownership, sale, transport, or carry. The Dallas County Sheriff issues License to Carry fingerprints and enforces only state firearm law.
House Bill 1927 (2021) lets most Texans 21 and older carry a handgun concealed without a permit anywhere in Dallas County. The optional License to Carry through Texas DPS still provides reciprocity, sensitive-place benefits, and federal background-check shortcuts.
Texas allows open carry of holstered handguns by adults 21 and older without a permit. House Bill 1927 (2021) ended the License to Carry requirement. Long guns may also be openly carried. Dallas County adds no local rule; state sensitive-place limits apply.
Texas Penal Code section 46.02(a-1), the Motorist Protection Act expanded by HB 1927, lets any adult legally entitled to possess a firearm carry a handgun inside their motor vehicle or watercraft. No permit is required, and the handgun may be loaded.
The Texas Comptroller issues all tobacco and e-cigarette retail permits under Health and Safety Code chapter 161 and Tax Code chapter 154. Dallas County has no separate vape retail license. The state inspects retailers and runs minor-sting compliance checks countywide.
Federal Tobacco 21 (PL 116-94) and Texas Health and Safety Code section 161.082 ban sale of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vapor products, and any tobacco to anyone under 21 in Dallas County. Active-duty military with ID 18 or older are exempt under state law.
Texas House Bill 1771 (2023), codified at Health and Safety Code section 161.0876, preempts cities and counties from restricting flavored tobacco, menthol cigarettes, or vape flavors. Dallas County cannot ban flavored e-cigarettes or menthol products. Federal FDA rules still govern unauthorized flavored e-cigarettes.
Texas Health and Safety Code section 361.0961 preempts cities and counties from regulating containers and packages, which the Texas Supreme Court Laredo case extends to polystyrene foam. Dallas County cannot ban Styrofoam takeout containers. Restaurants and grocers freely use polystyrene packaging.
The Texas Supreme Court ruling in City of Laredo v. Laredo Merchants Association (2018) invalidated municipal plastic-bag bans under Health and Safety Code section 361.0961. Dallas County never enacted a bag ordinance and is preempted from doing so. Retailers freely use plastic and paper bags.
Texas Health and Safety Code section 361.0961 and the 2018 Laredo Supreme Court decision preempt city and county regulation of single-use packaging, which restaurant lawyers extend to plastic straws. Dallas County has no straw ordinance, and state-level upon-request rules do not apply.
Texas Labor Code Section 62.0515 preempts any city or county from setting a minimum wage above the federal $7.25 per hour floor. Dallas County cannot enact a higher local wage.
Texas HB 2127, the Texas Regulatory Consistency Act effective September 2023, broadly preempts local labor regulation including paid sick leave. Dallas County cannot mandate paid leave for private employers.
Texas HB 2127 (2023) preempts local predictable scheduling laws. Dallas County has no scheduling ordinance and is barred from adopting one. Federal FLSA overtime is the only floor.
Texas SB 4 (2017) prohibits any county, city, or sheriff from adopting sanctuary policies or refusing ICE detainers. Dallas County is not a sanctuary jurisdiction and the Sheriff honors detainers.
Texas has no statewide E-Verify requirement for private employers. State agencies and contractors must use E-Verify under a 2014 executive order. Dallas County requires it for its own workforce.
Texas Agriculture Code Chapter 251, the Right to Farm Act, protects established agricultural operations from nuisance suits when neighbors arrive after farming began. Dallas County operations qualify under state law.
Texas does not grant counties general Euclidean zoning authority. Dallas County has minimal unincorporated land, so agricultural zoning decisions largely fall to cities. Local Government Code Chapter 232 governs subdivision platting only.
Dallas County Health and Human Services inspects food establishments in unincorporated areas and contract cities under the Texas Food Establishment Rules. Scores are numerical, not letter grades, and reports are posted on the DCHHS website.
Dallas County Health and Human Services Vector Control monitors rodents and mosquitoes countywide, while Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 343 lets the county abate rodent harborage as a public nuisance in unincorporated areas.
Texas Property Code Chapter 92 makes landlords statewide responsible for habitable rentals including bed bug remediation. DCHHS responds to complaints in unincorporated Dallas County and refers tenants to municipal code compliance inside city limits.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 728 governs disposal of household sharps. Dallas County Health and Human Services operates the SHARP collection program offering residents free drop-off of properly contained used syringes and lancets.
Dallas County does not mandate healthy food stocking. DCHHS supports voluntary food access initiatives, WIC, SNAP-Ed nutrition education, and partnerships with the North Texas Food Bank to address food deserts in unincorporated and underserved areas.
Federal regulation 21 CFR 101.11 requires chain restaurants with twenty or more locations to post calorie counts. Dallas County does not add local rules; DCHHS may flag missing disclosures during food inspections in unincorporated areas.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 438 requires food handlers to complete an accredited course within sixty days of hire. DCHHS verifies cards and Certified Food Manager credentials during inspections in unincorporated Dallas County and contract cities.
Most Dallas County cities buy water from North Texas Municipal Water District or Dallas Water Utilities. Both impose year-round twice-weekly watering caps and stricter Stage 1 to Stage 4 drought triggers. Dallas County itself does not set retail watering rules.
Dallas County does not run a turf replacement rebate, but member cities and water utilities including Dallas, Frisco, and Plano offer SmartScape and turf-conversion incentives. Programs are voluntary and aim to reduce summer irrigation demand.
Texas counties have very limited zoning power, so Dallas County does not run a sexually oriented business licensing program. Each Dallas County city, including Dallas, Irving, Garland, and Mesquite, regulates SOBs under municipal code and Texas Local Government Code Chapter 243 secondary-effects authority.
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 455 makes massage therapy a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation program; Dallas County does not issue its own massage licenses. The Dallas County Sheriff and District Attorney partner with cities and TDLR on illicit massage and trafficking enforcement.
Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 146 requires every tattoo and body-piercing studio in Dallas County to hold a Texas Department of State Health Services license. Dallas County HHS supports inspections in unincorporated areas; cities like Dallas and Irving handle in-city zoning and code enforcement.
Tobacco, cigar, and e-cigarette retailers in Dallas County must hold a Texas Comptroller permit under Tax Code Chapters 154 and 155 and Health & Safety Code Chapter 161. Dallas County does not issue tobacco licenses, but Sheriff and DCHHS conduct underage compliance checks alongside cities.
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 governs crafted-metal dealers (gold and silver buyers) statewide with DPS registration. Dallas County does not license general secondhand dealers; cities like Dallas, Irving, and Garland run their own permit and reporting schemes for resale shops.
Pawnbrokers in Dallas County are licensed under Texas Finance Code Chapter 371 by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC). The county adds no parallel license, but the Dallas County Sheriff and city police rely on pawnshop reporting to recover stolen property and investigate theft.
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 2308 makes the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation the sole licensing authority for tow operators and vehicle storage facilities in Dallas County. The Dallas County Sheriff maintains a non-consent rotation list for crash and arrest tows on county roads.
Passive panhandling is constitutionally protected speech in Texas after Reed v. Town of Gilbert. Aggressive panhandling that touches, blocks, or threatens a person can be charged as assault under Texas Penal Code 22.01 and 22.06. Dallas County Sheriff enforces in unincorporated areas; cities adopt their own ordinances.
Texas does not have a stand-alone public urination statute, but Penal Code 42.01 disorderly conduct and 21.08 indecent exposure cover the conduct in Dallas County. The Dallas County Sheriff enforces in unincorporated areas; cities issue municipal citations. Sex-offender registration is rare but possible under 21.08 with lewd intent.
Texas Local Government Code 250.008 lets counties regulate noise only in unincorporated areas. Dallas County's Sheriff enforces state Penal Code 42.01 disorderly conduct (unreasonable noise) for loud-party calls outside city limits. Inside cities, municipal noise ordinances and police handle loud parties.
Texas has no statewide outdoor smoking ban; the Smoke-Free Workplace framework reaches indoor public places only. Dallas County does not regulate outdoor smoking countywide. Cities like Dallas (Code 41-1), Plano, and Richardson adopt their own bans on patios, parks, and within set distances of building entrances.
Texas Transportation Code 552.005 requires pedestrians crossing outside marked crosswalks to yield right-of-way to vehicles in Dallas County. There is no specific jaywalking offense countywide; the Dallas County Sheriff and city police enforce pedestrian rules under state law and city codes.
Texas does not authorize counties or cities to levy a separate parking tax. Dallas County does not impose a parking-lot or commercial parking tax. Parking transactions face only the standard 8.25% combined sales tax (6.25% state plus 2% local) under Texas Tax Code Chapter 151.
Texas Tax Code Chapter 171 imposes a single state franchise tax on most businesses operating in Dallas County. Texas does not allow city or county business gross-receipts taxes, so Dallas County has no business-tax classification scheme like California or Illinois.
Texas tracks historic resources via the Texas Historic Sites Atlas administered by the Texas Historical Commission. Dallas County has limited landmark authority; cities designate most local landmarks. Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks carry state recognition.
Dallas County does not establish historic preservation overlay zones. Historic district designations and rules exist at the city level. Dallas, Highland Park, and University Park each maintain their own historic districts and review boards.
California's Mills Act does not exist in Texas. Texas Tax Code Section 11.24 lets cities and counties exempt part or all of designated historic property's appraised value from local taxes if adopted by the taxing unit.