Universal City, TX Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Texas Property Code 202.007 protects property owners who choose drought resistant landscaping, xeriscape, or native plant designs from HOA covenants that would mandate traditional turf grass or prohibit water efficient alternatives. HOAs may still impose reasonable design, approval, and aesthetic standards, but outright bans are void. Universal City encourages native plantings through SAWS WaterSaver coupons for approved xeriscape species including Salvia greggii, Texas Sage, Mexican Feather Grass, Blackfoot Daisy, and Esperanza. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin maintains a searchable Texas native plant database that is the authoritative resource for Bexar County appropriate species. When planting Live Oaks or Red Oaks, avoid installation from February 1 through June 30 because fresh root disturbance and pruning during that window increases oak wilt transmission risk. City nuisance rules still apply to native plantings: a native plant bed that exceeds the 12 inch vegetation standard is acceptable as long as it is intentional landscaping and not neglected weeds.