A city ordinance adopted March 5 will provide new restrictions on landscaping in Dripping Springs with the goal of preserving trees and water.

In a nutshell

Dripping Springs city council approved the ordinance that will affect both commercial and residential property by:

• Prohibiting the removal of heritage trees, or trees of specific species that are 18 inches or larger
• Limiting the removal of standard trees, or trees of specific species between eight and 18 inches
• Encouraging drip irrigation—allowing water to drip to plant roots—and lessening live grass turf
• Prohibiting sprinklers that cause water flows over sidewalks, streets and other non-vegetated areas

“If you've been following the drought issues and water conservation, it's very clear that irrigation is using the majority of the water,” Dripping Springs City Attorney Laura Mueller said March 5. “So that's one of the things that we're trying to help with.”

What’s next

On April 13, all residential requirements will go into effect. All commercial requirements will go into effect July 12.

A virtual town hall meeting will be held via Zoom on March 21 at 4 p.m. to engage builders and planners in conversation about the new ordinance.

For more information or to join the meeting, visit www.cityofdrippingsprings.com/landscapeordinance