El Paso, TX Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Code
- El Paso City Code Ch. 18.46
- Approved plants
- 75% from Approved Plant List
- Drought-tolerant
- 50% low-water species minimum
- Turf
- Banned in parkways, slopes over 20%
- Penalty
- Up to $2,000, per-day offense
Summary
El Paso's commercial landscape ordinance forces new development to draw 75% of plant material from the City's Approved Plant List and make at least half of it low-water, drought-tolerant species, with turf banned in parkways.
B. Plants: 75% of All plants to be used in the landscape design shall be selected from the Approved Plant List on file and maintained in the Development Services Department. ... At least fifty (50%) of the plants installed shall be plant material be of the low water, drought tolerant variety. ... C. Turf: Turf shall not be installed on slopes exceeding 20%, unless approved by the Building Official to match existing conditions or surrounding development. Turf grass is specifically prohibited in parkways.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 18.46 governs every new commercial building, building or parking-lot expansion, and new parking lot that needs a building permit inside the city. Landscape plans must select at least 75% of all plant material from the City's Approved Plant List, kept in the Development Services Department, and no less than 50% of installed plants must be low-water, drought-tolerant varieties. Artificial plant material earns no credit. Turf is prohibited in parkways and on slopes exceeding 20%. An underground automatic irrigation system and compliance with 30 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 344 are mandatory. Development Services reviews the plans and inspects the installation.
Violations & Fines
Violations are a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $2,000, and each day is a separate offense. The City may also pursue injunctive relief and civil penalties up to $500 per day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to single-family homes?
How much of my landscaping must be drought-tolerant?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Paso
Texas rules heatmap·Compare El Paso to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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