Burleson, TX Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Burleson Code of Ordinances § 34-61(b)(1) declares it a nuisance to permit weeds, grass or any uncultivated plant to grow in rank profusion or to a height in excess of 12 inches on average on any property within the corporate limits of the city. Section 34-61(b)(5) then carves out two native-landscape allowances. The first is a wildflower area, approved as such by the director of planning and community development or designee, and excepted during the blooming period for those wildflowers. The second is an area designated as a nature area on an approved landscape plan. Both exceptions apply only if the area is not otherwise required to be abated as an immediate hazard as determined by the fire marshal.

The code defines WILDFLOWER narrowly: seasonal flowering vegetation native and adaptive to Texas that grows wild and blooms during the spring season, in a concentration high enough to provide seasonal beauty to an area. The definition names specific flowers, among them bluebell, bluebonnet, black-eyed susan, Indian paint brush, Indian blanket, coreopsis tickseed, purple horsemint and any species of milkweed that benefits monarch butterfly migration, plus any other flowering vegetation specifically approved by the director of planning and community development or designee.

A person requesting an exemption based upon a wildflower area makes the request in writing to the director, and the director maintains a list of the approved areas. Separately, an area that is reasonably inaccessible because of terrain or obstructions requiring specialized equipment can be exempted when, in the opinion of the fire marshal, there is no reasonable fire hazard. That request goes in writing from the property owner to the fire marshal annually, asking for an inspection of the site.

The exception is not permanent. In the event of extreme drought or other hazardous conditions, the fire marshal can require any previously designated wildflower area, natural area or terrain obstructed area to be mowed when the area is of such size or proximity to structures that, in the marshal's opinion, it creates a potential fire hazard.