Plano, TX Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height Trigger
- 12 inches
- Covered Plants
- Weeds, ragweed, Johnson grass, poison ivy
- Notice Period
- 7-10 days typical
- Lien Authority
- TX Local Gov't Code Ch. 342
- Repeat Violations
- May skip notice step
Summary
Plano treats weeds and rank vegetation over 12 inches as a public nuisance under Chapter 14. Owners must abate within the 7-10 day notice period, or the city cuts and bills the owner, placing a lien if unpaid.
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. 342.006. WORK OR IMPROVEMENTS BY MUNICIPALITY; NOTICE. (a) If the owner of property in the municipality does not comply with a municipal ordinance or requirement under this chapter within seven days of notice of a violation, the municipality may: (1) do the work or make the improvements required; and (2) pay for the work done or improvements made and charge the expenses to the owner of the property.
Full Breakdown
Plano Code of Ordinances Chapter 14 declares it unlawful for a property owner to allow weeds, rank vegetation, brush, or any plant growth to exceed 12 inches or to create a harborage for rodents, mosquitoes, or snakes. The nuisance definition extends to unmaintained landscape beds, overgrown alleys, drainage ditches, and vacant lots. Cactus, poison ivy, poison oak, giant ragweed, and Johnson grass are specifically called out as prohibited nuisance plants when allowed to proliferate. After a Notice of Violation, the owner typically has 7 to 10 days to abate; the city can contract a crew to cut the property and bill the owner for the work plus an administrative fee. Unpaid charges are assessed as a lien under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 342. Repeat offenses within a 12-month period may bypass the notice step and move directly to citation.
Violations & Fines
Fine up to 500 dollars per offense plus abatement and administrative costs. Unpaid charges recorded as a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are weeds treated the same as grass in Plano?
What if I cannot afford to mow my vacant lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Plano
How Plano compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Plano to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Collin County handle weed ordinances.