Published May 13, 2026 · 8 min read · Filed under Frisco Homeowner Guides
If you bought a house in Frisco in the last 20 years, your house is almost certainly inside an HOA. And if you've lived here for more than one summer, you've probably either received a landscape violation letter or know a neighbor who has.
This is the practical, what-you-actually-need-to-know guide to landscape compliance in the major Frisco HOAs. We work with these communities every week, and the pattern is consistent enough that you can plan around it.
The big Frisco HOAs and what they care about
Phillips Creek Ranch
Strict. Inspections appear to run on a regular cycle. Common violation triggers:
- Lawn over ~4 inches
- Weeds visible in beds
- Dead or dying shrubs in front yard
- Mulch significantly faded or missing
- Grass intrusion into beds
Architectural change submittals required for: any new trees, hardscape additions, removing established plants, changing edging materials.
Newman Village
One of the stricter Frisco HOAs. Higher-end community, higher expectations. Common triggers:
- Any visible weeds in lawn or beds
- Brown patches in turf
- Untrimmed shrubs out of shape
- Mulch off-spec color (often required to be brown or natural, not red)
- Bed edging not crisp
Architectural submittals: required for nearly any visible landscape change.
Stonebriar
Older established community with mature trees. Common triggers:
- Lawn maintenance issues (height, weeds)
- Dead or dying mature trees (these become safety issues)
- Major bed neglect
Generally less strict on minor cosmetic issues than newer HOAs, but tree-related violations are taken seriously due to the value of the canopy.
Starwood
Similar to Stonebriar — established community with established standards. Pays attention to overall front-yard appearance from the street, less to fine details.
The Trails of West Frisco
Active HOA management. Common triggers:
- Lawn height
- Weeds in lawn or beds
- Dead shrubs not replaced
- Bed mulch depleted
Plantation Resort / Frisco Lakes (Del Webb)
55+ community in northwest Frisco. Landscape standards are enforced but the HOA includes some level of landscape service in dues, so violations on the front yard are less common. Backyard responsibility is on the homeowner.
What HOAs actually look for during inspections
Across every Frisco HOA we work with, the consistent priorities are:
1. Lawn height and uniformity
Lawn over 4 inches almost always triggers a letter. Lawn with obvious patchy areas (dead spots, weeds) is the next most common trigger.
2. Visible weeds in beds
Front-yard beds with weeds growing through the mulch are an easy violation. Beds at the back of the house get less scrutiny.
3. Edging — beds and walks
Crisp definition between lawn and bed, lawn and walkway, lawn and driveway. Loss of definition = "neglected" appearance.
4. Mulch coverage
Most Frisco HOAs expect visible mulch in front beds. If your beds are showing soil or have less than ~1 inch of mulch left, expect a letter eventually.
5. Dead or dying shrubs
A clearly dead shrub in the front yard is one of the fastest triggers. HOAs typically give a specific window to remove and replace.
6. Hardscape and structures
This is where architectural submittals matter — new patios, retaining walls, raised beds, pergolas, sheds, fences. Don't build without an approval letter on file.
The pattern of violation letters
Most Frisco HOAs follow a 3-step escalation:
- First letter — courtesy notice: "Please address this issue within X days." Usually 14–30 days. No fine.
- Second letter — formal violation: "Failure to address has resulted in a fine." Usually $50–$100, often recurring weekly until resolved.
- Third letter and beyond — escalating fines and potential lien: Fines grow. In extreme cases, the HOA can file a lien on the property.
The 14–30 day window in the first letter is generally enough time to fix anything reasonable. The mistake homeowners make is treating the first letter as junk mail and ignoring it.
How to handle a violation letter
Step 1 — Read it carefully
Note the specific violation cited, the deadline, and the resolution criteria. Sometimes the cited issue is no longer present by the time the letter arrives.
Step 2 — Document the current state
Take dated photos of the property. If you fix the issue and then need to dispute a follow-up letter, you'll want before/after evidence.
Step 3 — Fix it
For most common violations — lawn height, weeds, dead shrubs, depleted mulch — a single visit from a professional crew resolves the issue well within the cure window.
Step 4 — Notify the HOA
Most management companies want you to email a photo of the resolved issue. This closes the file and prevents follow-up.
Step 5 — Prevent the next one
One-time fixes work, but recurring maintenance is what keeps the letters from coming back. Weekly mowing + seasonal mulch + scheduled bed weeding usually eliminates the pattern entirely.
What to ask before submitting an HOA landscape request
If you're planning a landscape change that requires architectural approval, have these ready:
- Drawing or plan — even hand-sketched is usually enough for minor changes
- Plant list with mature sizes
- Materials — mulch color, edging type, hardscape material
- Photos of similar work elsewhere in the community — helpful for showing fit
Most Frisco HOAs respond within 2–4 weeks. Don't start work without the approval in writing.
Common HOA-friendly plant choices for Frisco
Plants that almost always get approved (and survive Frisco summers):
- Shrubs: dwarf yaupon holly, dwarf burford holly, boxwood (shade), Texas sage
- Perennials: salvia greggii, lantana, knockout roses, Mexican feathergrass
- Trees: live oak, cedar elm, crape myrtle (in appropriate size class)
- Ground cover: Asian jasmine, monkey grass, dwarf mondo
Plants HOAs often reject or restrict
- Anything that gets dramatically larger than the spot allows (tall crape myrtles, large maples)
- Bamboo and other invasive spreaders
- Tropicals that won't survive a Frisco freeze (bird of paradise, plumeria) — they'll be dead by January
- Vegetable gardens in the front yard (most HOAs prohibit)
- Artificial turf — some HOAs allow, many do not; always check