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.
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.
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.
See how Travis County's weed ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
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