Keller, TX Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Keller treats weeds as a public nuisance under the property maintenance and nuisance chapters of the city code. Any growth of weeds, rank vegetation, or grass exceeding 12 inches on improved or vacant property triggers a violation. Noxious and invasive species such as giant ragweed, johnsongrass, and poison ivy growing along fences, retaining walls, or at the base of mature trees must also be removed, particularly when they encroach on neighboring parcels or the public right-of-way. Code Enforcement identifies violations through drives, aerial imagery, and complaints. Owners typically receive a 10-day notice of violation, after which the city can contract the work and assess cost plus administrative fee as a lien against the property at the Tarrant County recorder. Vacant parcels, undeveloped tracts along Big Bear Creek and Little Bear Creek, and lots backing to greenbelts receive heightened scrutiny during drought and summer months because of fire-load concerns. HOAs typically layer stricter aesthetic standards including specific requirements for weed control in planting beds, mulch replenishment, and lawn edging. Chemical herbicide use is not regulated separately at the city level for residential properties, though commercial applicators must hold a Texas Department of Agriculture license.