Texas HB 1686 (effective 2023) prohibits HOAs and municipalities from banning front-yard vegetable gardens. Tarrant County residents can grow edible gardens in their front yards, though cities may still regulate height, maintenance, and setback standards.
Texas House Bill 1686, signed into law in 2023, prohibits property owners' associations and municipalities from restricting residential property use for growing food. This applies across all Tarrant County municipalities. While front-yard gardens are legally protected, cities may still enforce reasonable regulations regarding plant height, maintenance, and setbacks. Fort Worth's zoning ordinance allows residential gardens in all residential zones. Gardens must be maintained to avoid becoming a nuisance. Raised beds, container gardens, and traditional in-ground plots are all permitted. HOAs may still regulate garden aesthetics but cannot ban food production entirely under HB 1686.
No penalties for growing a front-yard garden. Unmaintained gardens may be cited under property maintenance codes with fines of $500-$2,000 per day if vegetation becomes a nuisance.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Tarrant County.
See how Arlington's front yard gardens rules stack up against other locations.
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