Pembroke Pines's Invasive Plant Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles invasive plant rules a little differently. In Pembroke Pines, Florida, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Prohibited Species

New plantings of any species the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council lists as Category I invasive for south Florida are banned citywide under § 155.664(Q). A licensed city landscape arborist can grant a narrow, site-specific exception, and removing an existing Category I invasive tree is financially encouraged rather than penalized.

Key details: Ban scope: New installation of FLEPPC Category I species. Reference list: Most recent FLEPPC south region document. Exception: Licensed city arborist sign-off. Removal incentive: No permit fee for Category I tree removal. Mitigation credit: Counts toward § 155.680 mitigation plan.

Planting a new Category I invasive species without arborist sign-off is enforced under § 155.679, the landscaping subchapter's enforcement provision, which ties to the citywide general penalty in § 10.99: up to a $500 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense. Police, Code Compliance Officers, and city landscape personnel can also order the installation work stopped and require the plant material removed before work resumes.

This is one of the stricter rules in Pembroke Pines's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Front Yard Gardens

Pembroke Pines cannot stop a resident from growing a vegetable garden in the front yard: its own landscape code at § 155.662(F) defers directly to Florida's 2019 Right to Garden law, Fla. Stat. § 604.71, which voids any local ordinance that specifically regulates vegetable gardens on residential property.

Key details: Local rule: § 155.662(F) defers to state law. Governing statute: Fla. Stat. § 604.71 (2019). Effect: Garden-specific local rules are void. Still enforceable: General water, fertilizer, invasive-species rules. Statutory garden definition: Plot for herbs, fruit, flowers, vegetables.

There is no municipal fine for locating a vegetable garden in the front yard, because the city has no authority to regulate that choice: § 604.71(2) makes a garden-specific local ordinance void and unenforceable outright. If the garden runs afoul of a general rule that is not garden-specific, such as a drought-stage watering restriction under Chapter 50 or planting a Category I invasive species banned by § 155.664(Q), the citywide general penalty in § 10.99 (up to $500, up to 90 days, or both) applies to that separate violation.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Pembroke Pines gives residents more flexibility on front yard gardens.

The Bottom Line

Pembroke Pines's invasive plant rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Pembroke Pines is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Pembroke Pines's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.