Travis County strongly encourages native Hill Country plants (live oak, cedar elm, bluebonnet, Indian paintbrush, Mexican feathergrass) for water conservation. Austin Grow Green program and LCRA/LBJ Wildflower Center offer plant lists and rebates. HOAs cannot ban xeriscaping under TX Property Code 202.007.
Austins Grow Green program publishes a native/adapted plant guide specifically for Central Texas limestone soils and Hill Country microclimates. Key recommended species: live oak (Quercus fusiformis), cedar elm, mountain laurel, Mexican plum, yaupon holly, Mexican feathergrass, blackfoot daisy, lantana, salvia, Turks cap. Avoid: Bradford pear, chinaberry, nandina (invasive). TX Property Code 202.007 prohibits HOAs from banning drought-resistant landscaping, though HOAs may require landscape plans and minimum vegetation coverage. Austin Water offers WaterWise Landscape rebates up to 3,000 dollars for converting turf to native/adapted beds. Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (managed by UT) is the authoritative regional resource.
HOA blocking drought-tolerant landscape: violates 202.007, injunctive relief available. Aesthetic requirements (minimum coverage, design review) remain enforceable.
Travis County, TX
Texas Senate Bill 4 (2017) prohibits sanctuary policies in Travis County, requires local jails to honor ICE detainers, and bans elected officials from limiti...
Travis County, TX
Texas HB 2127 (2023) preempted local paid sick leave mandates, voiding the Austin paid sick leave ordinance previously enjoined by the Texas Third Court of A...
Travis County, TX
Texas preempts local minimum wage laws under Local Government Code Chapter 229, leaving the federal $7.25 per hour rate as the floor for most private employe...
Travis County, TX
Travis County businesses pay the Texas franchise tax administered by the Comptroller rather than a local business income tax, and personal property used in b...
Travis County, TX
Hotels and short-term rentals in Travis County collect a combined hotel occupancy tax of roughly fifteen percent, including six percent state and up to nine ...
Travis County, TX
Travis County and Austin prohibit aggressive panhandling such as touching, blocking paths, or soliciting at ATMs and bus stops, while passive sign-holding re...
See how Travis County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.