Vegetation ordinance? (Dallas, Garland, Murphy: HOA, house, neighborhood)

[SepiaZelda]

We're thinking of taking out our grass lawn and replacing it with something else. I've been searching and searching but can't find anything about a vegetation ordinance for Dallas. Height, weeds, that sort of thing. Anyone?

[loves2read]

do you have an HOA
sometimes their covenants are more restrictive than the city's

[MurphyPl1]

I just learned that the state limits municipalities to considering a tall grass/weeds to 10". Looks like Dallas is more lenient than that: Welcome to the City of Dallas, Texas - City Web Portal. If you roll over the part about high weeds a thing pops up about reporting weeds taller than 12"

Now shrubs and plants should be exempt from that. Although there's a guy here in Murphy that just can't seem to get them off his back each winter about a climber rose he's got.

[loves2read]

didn't you get a house in the Lakewood or Lake Highland area?
you have an HOA don't you=== HOA can have stricter covenants than a city ordinance--what you consider a "natural landscape or xerascaping might be viewed as unsightly or unkempt and could get you taken to court

[MurphyPl1]

I think I know what part of Dallas they're in and I don't think they're dealing with an HOA on top of the city.

[SepiaZelda]

Originally Posted by MurphyPl1

I just learned that the state limits municipalities to considering a tall grass/weeds to 10". Looks like Dallas is more lenient than that: Welcome to the City of Dallas, Texas - City Web Portal. If you roll over the part about high weeds a thing pops up about reporting weeds taller than 12"

Now shrubs and plants should be exempt from that. Although there's a guy here in Murphy that just can't seem to get them off his back each winter about a climber rose he's got.

Thanks, C! I think wild flowers would be taller than that, so it looks like that idea is out. Ugh.

[SepiaZelda]

Originally Posted by loves2read

didn't you get a house in the Lakewood or Lake Highland area?
you have an HOA don't you=== HOA can have stricter covenants than a city ordinance--what you consider a "natural landscape or xerascaping might be viewed as unsightly or unkempt and could get you taken to court

No, we don't have an HOA. Isn't that weird? We're in Ridgewood Park which has an active neighborhood organization, but not an HOA, as such. And I am an idiot, because code enforcement guidelines are on their website. Ridgewood Park -- Dallas, Texas

[MurphyPl1]

I'd double check with the city. There's a fine line between wildflowers and weeds. It may be that if you leave a strip of turf and then a defined edge to the wildflower area, you can do that. It'll show that you're maintaining the yard and didn't just let it all go.

Do you know your neighbors yet? If you do, you might mention it to them or ask if someone else has done something similar. You'll get an idea of whether they'll be OK with it, or will be the ones calling 311 all the time.

ETA: We had a funky little 2' strip along the alley at our old house in Garland. We planted wildflowers along there and never had problems with the city. And those babies got pretty tall.

[SepiaZelda]

Originally Posted by MurphyPl1

I think I know what part of Dallas they're in and I don't think they're dealing with an HOA on top of the city.

You will have to come by!

[SepiaZelda]

Originally Posted by MurphyPl1

I'd double check with the city. There's a fine line between wildflowers and weeds. It may be that if you leave a strip of turf and then a defined edge to the wildflower area, you can do that. It'll show that you're maintaining the yard and didn't just let it all go.

Do you know your neighbors yet? If you do, you might mention it to them or ask if someone else has done something similar. You'll get an idea of whether they'll be OK with it, or will be the ones calling 311 all the time.

ETA: We had a funky little 2' strip along the alley at our old house in Garland. We planted wildflowers along there and never had problems with the city. And those babies got pretty tall.

I know our next door neighbors, but that's it. We're obviously too late for this year to do this, so I think I'll get involved in the neighborhood association and get a feel there. I was looking at the yard of the month and they have lots of taller flowers in their yard. Actually, we have lots of tall flowers, but they're in a bed.