Local Landscape Ordinances by Gary Robinette,ASLA was published in 1992 and is one of the best books on the subject of landscape ordinances.

This book is a convenient reference to landscape ordinances in the metro Dallas, Texas area. The purpose of the book was to dissect local ordinances and determine how they work. The researchers pulled ordinances from near by communities apart, compared the various components, analyzed the language and presented the results in a series of matrices and sketches. The book is a useful tool for examining specific language and understanding some of the basic design components and technical standards found in this type of legislation. The book is illustrated with simple line drawings which are used to make the complex understandable.

The 348 page book presents no structure as to what constitutes a properly written ordinance and this is one of the short comings of the book. This should not be considered a criticism however for that was not the purpose of the book. However, if one seeks and introductory text on the subject, this is a good place to start.

This book was published by Agora Communication, P.O.Box 868048, Plano, Texas 75086. The author can be reached at the University of Texas at Arlington, School of Architecture, Box 19108, Arlington, Texas 76019-0108