Travis County has no county-wide grass height ordinance for unincorporated areas; Texas counties lack zoning authority. Austin City Code 10-5 limits grass to 12 inches within city limits and ETJ. HOAs throughout master-planned communities (Steiner Ranch, Circle C, Avery Ranch) enforce their own height limits, typically 6-8 inches.
Texas Local Government Code severely restricts county regulatory authority. Unincorporated Travis County has no grass height ordinance, though high weeds creating fire hazard during burn ban conditions can trigger nuisance action under HSC 342. Austin City Code 10-5-1 requires grass under 12 inches and allows city abatement with cost lien if unaddressed within 7 days of notice. Pflugerville, Lakeway, Lago Vista, and Bee Cave have similar city ordinances. HOAs and MUDs fill the regulatory gap in unincorporated developments. Water-efficient native alternatives (buffalo grass, blue grama) are encouraged under LCRA and Austin Water conservation programs.
Austin city: 7-day notice, then abatement with lien plus administrative fee. HOA violations: fines per deed restrictions, typically 25-100 dollars per occurrence. Unincorporated non-HOA: no direct enforcement unless public nuisance.
See how Travis County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
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