Denton, TX Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Denton does not restrict the use of native plants in residential or commercial landscaping. Texas Property Code Section 202.007 prohibits HOAs from requiring natural turf grass or banning xeriscaping, native plant gardens, or water-conserving landscaping. Denton Development Code landscaping requirements for commercial and multifamily developments (DDC Subchapter 7) include minimum planting standards but do not prohibit native species. The city actively promotes native and drought-tolerant landscaping through its Water Conservation program as part of efforts to reduce peak summer water demand. The Cross Timbers ecoregion surrounding Denton supports native species including post oak, blackjack oak, eastern redcedar, little bluestem, Indiangrass, sideoats grama, black-eyed Susan, and purple coneflower. The Denton County Master Gardeners through Texas A&M AgriLife Extension provide native plant recommendations suited to the local Blackland Prairie and Cross Timbers soil types. Native plant gardens maintained properly do not trigger grass-height or weed-ordinance violations under Section 17-40 provided they are clearly intentional landscaping rather than neglected overgrowth.