Businesses in Missouri City, Texas planting shrubbery to screen their parking lots could run afoul of a new Missouri City ordinance regulating minimum and maximum shrubbery heights. The new ordinance also creates a new class of criminal in Missouri City and imposes a fine of up to $500 per day.
From MissouriCityTx.gov (emphasis mine):
SECTION 11. LANDSCAPING
11.2. Requirements for plants used for landscaping.
When plants are used for landscaping under this section, the following requirements shall apply:
1. Height at maturity. As they grow, plants shall have an expected height according to type and species, and at each age, shall be maintained at expected heights. Plants shall be trimmed and maintained at natural shapes. At maturity, the following heights shall apply unless otherwise provided for in this section:
| Plant Height | |
| Canopy trees | In excess of or equal to 30 feet |
| Understory trees | Under 30 feet |
| Shrubs | Minimum of 36 inches (When used for required screening) |
| Maximum of 60 inches (When used for required screening) |
Got that? Make sure your bush is trimmed and maintained in a natural shape or you will be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
Section 9. Penalty. Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization of any kind who or which violates any provision of this zoning ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined in an amount not to exceed Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). Each day during which said violation shall exist or occur shall constitute a separate offense.
Comrade Jerry Wyatt and Premier Allen Owen asked Gary Smith, Director of Developmental Services if the ordinance would be applied retroactively to some older commercial businesses to NAIL them:
Comrade Wyatt: ..gonna start looking at these things retroactively…I assume you’re gonna do that?…how will this help us with some of the older commercials that’s already in place?
Director Smith: Through enforcement is the main way…we did not look at a retroactive landscaping provision.
Premier Owen: We have guys, we have pieces that we approved landscaping on that have not lived up to what they were approved at and we DO need to nail them.
Director Smith: We do.
Where in Missouri “Nanny” City can we find approved shrubbery??