Travis County, TX Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- County
- No weed ordinance
- Austin
- 12 inch max, 10-5-1
- State Noxious
- TX Ag Code
- Bluebonnets
- Dont mow April-May
- HOA
- Primary enforcement
Summary
Travis County has no county-wide weed ordinance for unincorporated areas. Texas counties lack general nuisance abatement authority except under HSC 342 (unsanitary conditions) and burn ban contexts. Austin Code 10-5 addresses weeds with 12-inch height limit. HOAs and MUDs enforce locally.
Sec. 342.004. MUNICIPAL POWER CONCERNING WEEDS OR CERTAIN PUBLIC NUISANCES. The governing body of a municipality may require the owner of real property in the municipality to keep the property free from weeds, brush, and a condition constituting a public nuisance as defined by Section 343.011(c)(1), (2), or (3). Sec. 342.008. ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY TO ABATE DANGEROUS WEEDS. (a) A municipality may abate, without notice, weeds that: (1) have grown higher than 48 inches; and (2) are an immediate danger to the health, life, or safety of any person.
Full Breakdown
Under Texas Local Government Code, counties cannot adopt general property maintenance codes. HSC 342.004 allows counties to abate genuine health nuisances (standing water, accumulated garbage, rat harborage) but not mere aesthetic weed concerns. Austin City Code 10-5-1 defines weeds/grass over 12 inches as a nuisance subject to 7-day abatement. Pflugerville, Lakeway, Lago Vista have similar ordinances. The Texas Agriculture Code addresses noxious weeds (johnsongrass, Canada thistle) at the state level. Native wildflowers (bluebonnets, Indian paintbrush) are protected cultural resources and should not be mowed during April-May bloom under Austin/TxDOT guidance.
Violations & Fines
Austin: 7-day notice, abatement with lien plus 150 dollar administrative fee. Unincorporated non-HOA: generally no enforcement. HOA: per deed restrictions, typically 25-100 dollars per occurrence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my neighbor complain about weeds on my unincorporated property?
Are bluebonnets protected in Travis County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Travis County
How Travis County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Travis County to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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