83R450 AJA-D
 
  By: Dukes H.B. No. 449
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to restrictions on xeriscaping by property owners'
  associations and certain political subdivisions.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 580, Local Government Code, is amended
  by adding Section 580.0021 to read as follows:
         Sec. 580.0021.  RESTRICTIONS ON XERISCAPING. (a)  In this
  section, "xeriscaping" has the meaning assigned by Section 202.013,
  Property Code.
         (b)  The governing body of a municipality or county may not
  enact an ordinance or order that prohibits or unreasonably
  restricts, or enforce an ordinance or order in a manner that
  prohibits or unreasonably restricts, a property owner from
  xeriscaping the owner's property.
         SECTION 2.  Chapter 202, Property Code, is amended by adding
  Section 202.013 to read as follows:
         Sec. 202.013.  XERISCAPING. (a) In this section,
  "xeriscaping" means a landscaping method that maximizes the
  conservation of water by using plants that are appropriate to the
  site and efficient water-use techniques. The term includes:
               (1)  planning and design;
               (2)  appropriate choice of plants;
               (3)  soil analysis;
               (4)  soil improvement using compost;
               (5)  efficient and appropriate irrigation;
               (6)  practical use of turf;
               (7)  appropriate use of mulches; and
               (8)  proper maintenance.
         (b)  A property owners' association may not adopt a provision
  in a dedicatory instrument that prohibits or unreasonably
  restricts, or enforce a provision in a dedicatory instrument in a
  manner that prohibits or unreasonably restricts, a property owner
  from xeriscaping the owner's property.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.