Can Your Texas HOA Force You to Keep a Grass Lawn?

Short answer: no, your Texas HOA probably can't force you to keep a grass lawn. But "probably" is doing some work in that sentence, and the details matter.

Texas has some of the strongest homeowner protections in the country when it comes to water-wise landscaping. Two laws in particular changed the game. If you're in an HOA neighborhood and thinking about ripping out your St. Augustine, here's what you actually need to know.

Texas Property Code §202.007

This is the big one. It's been on the books since 2013 and it says, roughly:

That's a direct quote. In plain English: if your landscaping conserves water, your HOA can't ban it just because it isn't turf grass. This applies statewide, to every HOA in Texas.

HB 517 (2025) made it stronger

House Bill 517, passed in 2025, closed some of the loopholes HOAs had been using. Before HB 517, some HOAs would technically allow xeriscaping but then reject it through "aesthetic standards" that only turf could meet. The updated law makes it harder for HOAs to use appearance requirements as a backdoor ban on water-conserving landscapes.

It also clarified that HOAs can't require a specific percentage of turf grass coverage. That was a common trick.

What your HOA can still require

The law doesn't give you a free pass to do whatever you want. Your HOA can still enforce:

• Neatness and maintenance standards (no dead plants, no weeds taking over)
• Height restrictions on plants near sidewalks or streets
• Edging and border requirements
• Rules about structures like raised beds, trellises, or garden art
• Setback requirements from property lines

Basically, they can require your yard to look maintained. They just can't require that maintenance to involve a lawn mower.

What your HOA cannot require

• Turf grass specifically (if your alternative conserves water)
• A minimum percentage of lawn coverage
• Removal of native or drought-tolerant plants that are properly maintained
• A specific grass species like Bermuda or St. Augustine

If you're in the Austin area, this matters even more. Austin Water actively encourages turf removal and offers rebates for it. Your HOA fighting that puts them at odds with city policy.

Common pushback tactics (and how to respond)

Even with the law on your side, some HOAs will push back. Here's what that usually looks like:

When to talk to a lawyer

Rarely. Honestly, most of these situations resolve with a calm conversation and some documentation. But consider legal advice if:

• Your HOA is fining you after you've cited the state law in writing
• They're threatening a lien on your property
• You've submitted a plan, made the visual improvements, and they're still rejecting it without citing a specific CC&R provision

A real estate attorney who handles HOA disputes can usually resolve this with a single letter. It shouldn't cost much.

Practical next steps

If you're thinking about converting your lawn in an HOA neighborhood, do it in order:

1. Get a copy of your CC&Rs. Read the landscaping section. Know exactly what it says.
2. Check your HOA's approval process. Most have an architectural review committee you'll submit to.
3. Put together a plan with a plant list, layout, and maintenance schedule. This is what separates "I stopped mowing" from "I'm improving the property."
4. Submit proactively, before you start planting.
5. Check for local rebate programs that might offset your costs.

For more on choosing plants that work in HOA neighborhoods, check out our Texas native plants for HOA yards guide.