Cedar Park, TX Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Irrigation exemption
- Native grasses & wildflowers
- Duration required
- First 2 years only
- Natural areas
- No irrigation required
- System type allowed
- Temporary, aboveground
Summary
Cedar Park exempts native-grass, wildflower, and xeriscape plantings from its standard permanent irrigation rule after a two-year establishment period, and undisturbed natural areas need no irrigation at all.
Landscape areas utilizing xeriscape plants and installation techniques, including areas planted with native grasses and wildflowers, may use a temporary and aboveground system and shall be required to provide irrigation for the first two (2) years only.
(d) Landscape plans shall indicate by a detail, a drawing, or by specification in a note on the site plan, the type and location of irrigation which will be used. Plans should be specific enough to show that adequate irrigation will be provided to all required landscape areas and plant materials. All irrigation, trenching in the critical root zone (CRZ) of existing trees to be retained shall be done by hand to avoid damaging the root system.
(e) No irrigation shall be required for undisturbed natural areas or undisturbed existing trees. (Ordinance CO41-07-07-12-3H adopted 7/12/07)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4973212; v14 updated 2026-06-25).
Full Breakdown
The city's landscaping code normally requires an automatic underground or drip irrigation system for all required plant materials. Section 14.07.012 carves out xeriscape plantings and areas seeded with native grasses and wildflowers: these may be watered with a temporary, aboveground system and only need irrigation coverage for their first two years after planting. Undisturbed natural areas and undisturbed existing trees are exempt from any irrigation requirement, letting developers preserve or plant native landscaping instead of turf without installing a permanent sprinkler system.
Violations & Fines
Failure to install any required irrigation for non-exempt landscape areas is checked at the certificate-of-occupancy landscape inspection under § 14.07.012(b); noncompliance delays occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I landscape with native plants instead of turf in Cedar Park?
Do undisturbed natural areas need sprinklers?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cedar Park
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