New Braunfels, TX Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective date
- January 1, 2007
- Who's covered
- Homebuilders/developers of new single-family lots
- Model home rule
- At least 1 xeriscape model home per subdivision
- Xeriscape definition
- Max 50% turf, rest low-water plants
- Plant list source
- NBU-approved list at nbutexas.com
- Governing division
- City Code Ch. 130, Art. IV, Div. 6
Summary
New Braunfels requires homebuilders and developers to offer a xeriscape option among the landscaping choices given to buyers of new single-family homes, and to landscape at least one model home per subdivision to a xeriscape design. City Code Sec. 130-206 defines xeriscape as capping turf grass at 50 percent, with the rest in low water use plants.
Sec. 130-206: "Xeriscape means a landscape consisting of a maximum of 50 percent turf grass, with the remaining percentage of landscape incorporating low water use plants and/or pervious hardscape." Sec. 130-216.1: "...homebuilders and/or developers subdividing lots and/or constructing new single-family residential homes shall offer a xeriscape option in any series of landscaping options offered to prospective home buyers." Sec. 130-216.2: "...homebuilders and/or developers who construct one or more model homes for a designated subdivision shall have at least one model home per subdivision landscaped according to a xeriscape design."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 36).
Full Breakdown
Since January 1, 2007, New Braunfels has required residential development to make room for water-wise landscaping rather than offering only standard turf lawns. Sec. 1 states that homebuilders and developers subdividing lots or building new single-family homes shall offer a xeriscape option in any series of landscaping options offered to prospective home buyers. Sec. 2 extends the requirement to model homes: any subdivision with one or more model homes must have at least one landscaped according to a xeriscape design. The term is defined at Sec.
com. The rule doesn't force any individual buyer to choose xeriscaping, but it forces every builder marketing new single-family lots to make it available as a real, buildable choice. These sections sit in Chapter 130, Article IV, Division 6, the same division that sets zonal-irrigation and rain-sensor requirements for new construction, and violations of the division are enforced under Sec. 130-219 with the same fine schedule that covers the city's other water conservation rules. Builders and developers seeking a variance from any Division 6 requirement, including the xeriscape-option mandate, can apply to NBU's conservation coordinator under Sec. 130-218 within 30 days of a notice of violation.
Violations & Fines
Failing to offer a xeriscape option to prospective buyers, or failing to landscape at least one required model home to a xeriscape design, is a violation of Chapter 130's water conservation division under Sec. 130-219(a). Convicted violators face a fine of $100.00 to $500.00 for a first offense, $200.00 to $500.00 for a second, and $400.00 to $500.00 for a third and later offenses, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation and civil penalties up to $1,000.00 per day available under state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does New Braunfels require homeowners to plant native or low-water landscaping?
What counts as xeriscape under the city code?
Do model homes have to be xeriscaped?
Who enforces the xeriscape-option requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in New Braunfels
Texas rules heatmap·Compare New Braunfels to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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