Bryan, TX Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Where the rule applies. Section 62-407(a) applies Article VII to all land inside the Bryan city limits, but the landscaping duty attaches to development that requires a full site plan review. Detached dwelling units, patio homes, townhomes and duplexes are excluded, and section 62-428(b) also exempts the downtown district, where landscape and streetscapes follow the approved downtown master plan. A retail center, office, apartment complex or industrial site faces the turf question. A detached house does not under this article.

What counts as landscaping. Under section 62-429(a)(1), an area equal to 15 percent of the developed area (main structure, accessory structures, parking lots, equipment lots and outside storage) must be landscaped, and not less than 50 percent of that landscaped area must be planted in trees. Section 62-429(a)(4) then requires complete coverage of everything the trees and shrubs leave open by grass, live groundcover, and/or nonvegetative groundcover approved by the city. Parking lot islands follow the same menu, and where grass is used it must be 100 percent live grass by solid sod overlay or preplanting and successful takeover.

The turf point. The code never names artificial turf or synthetic grass. Section 62-429(d)(5) prohibits artificial plant materials, and (d)(6) shows what nonvegetative cover looks like: washed gravel, bark mulches, lava rock, rock or other decorative covers. Plastic lawn laid in a required landscape area is a manufactured imitation of grass, not live groundcover and not one of those decorative covers, so it reads as barred. Whether a given product qualifies as approved nonvegetative groundcover is the city's call at landscape plan review, so put the material on the plan before buying it.

Process and relief. The city planner or designee reviews and approves the landscape plan, and landscaping must be complete before a certificate of occupancy issues. Required landscaping must be irrigated by an underground sprinkler system or a hose attachment within 150 feet. A landscape plan sealed by a registered landscape architect can seek variations under section 62-429(d)(8). Variances go to the planning and zoning commission under section 62-463 on a written request filed at least ten working days ahead, with an appeal to city council within 15 calendar days.