Fort Lauderdale's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, there are 8 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.

Grass Height Limits

Fort Lauderdale Code Section 18-3 defines 'overgrowth' as lawn, grass or weeds in excess of six (6) inches in height, and Section 18-12 declares any overgrowth of lawn, grass, weeds or foliage on a property a public nuisance the owner must abate.

Key details: Height limit: 6 inches (overgrowth = lawn/grass/weeds over 6 in.). Definition: Fort Lauderdale Code Sec. 18-3. Prohibition: Fort Lauderdale Code Sec. 18-12. Notice/cure period: 10 days after posted notice. Enforcement: Special magistrate; City abatement + lien.

After notice, the owner has 10 days to mow or clear growth over six inches; failure to comply can be referred to the special magistrate as a code violation and the City may abate (cut/clear) the property itself, with the total cost plus administrative costs becoming a special assessment and lien on the property.

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

Tree Trimming

On single-family residential property, Florida Statute 163.045 preempts Fort Lauderdale from requiring a permit, fee, or mitigation to prune, trim, or remove a tree when an ISA-certified arborist or licensed landscape architect documents that the tree poses an unacceptable risk; the City's tree-preservation permit rules (ULDR 47-21) still govern non-residential and non-hazard tree work.

Key details: State preemption: Fla. Stat. 163.045 (residential hazard trees). Documentation: ISA-certified arborist or FL landscape architect. Replant: City may not require replanting (163.045). City permit rule: ULDR 47-21 (non-residential / non-hazard). Mangroves: Still protected (Fla. Stat. 403.9321-403.9333).

Removing a regulated tree without a required permit under ULDR 47-21 can trigger replacement, equivalent value, or a deposit to the tree canopy trust fund, plus code-enforcement penalties. For documented hazardous trees on residential property, Fla. Stat. 163.045 bars the City from charging a fee or mitigation, so no penalty attaches when the arborist documentation requirement is met.

Water Restrictions

Fort Lauderdale follows the South Florida Water Management District's mandatory year-round landscape irrigation rule, which limits irrigation to set days by address and bans watering between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; Florida Statute 373.62 separately requires automatic sprinkler systems to have a moisture/rain shut-off device.

Key details: Authority: SFWMD year-round irrigation rule (Broward County). Watering days (even/no address): Thursdays and/or Sundays. Watering days (odd address): Wednesdays and/or Saturdays. Prohibited hours: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.. Rain-sensor law: Fla. Stat. 373.62(1).

SFWMD's year-round measures are mandatory and enforceable by the District, local governments, and law enforcement; repeat or willful violations of irrigation-day and time limits can result in code-enforcement citations and fines. Failure to install or maintain a required rain/moisture shut-off device on an automatic sprinkler system violates Fla. Stat. 373.62.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Fort Lauderdale has tree protection regulations that may require a permit for removing certain trees. The city values its tropical canopy for environmental and aesthetic benefits.

Key details: Permit: May be required for significant trees. Mangroves: State-regulated, professional trimmer needed. City Trees: Permission required. Hurricane: Emergency removal provisions available.

Removing protected trees without permission results in fines and replacement requirements. Mangrove violations carry state penalties.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fort Lauderdale actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Artificial Turf

Fort Lauderdale does not prohibit artificial turf installation on residential properties, but it does not count toward Florida-Friendly Landscaping requirements under the ULDR Section 47-21. The city's Florida-Friendly Landscaping ordinance promotes natural plant-based solutions.

Key details: Code Section: ULDR §47-21. Artificial Turf: Not prohibited but not counted as landscaping. FL-Friendly Landscaping: Promoted by city ordinance. State Law: FL §373.185 protects FL-Friendly practices. HOA Override: State law limits HOA restrictions on FL-Friendly landscaping.

Installing artificial turf in place of required landscaping areas may result in code enforcement action if minimum landscape coverage requirements are not met under the ULDR.

Fort Lauderdale is more permissive than most cities when it comes to artificial turf. That said, there are still limits.

Native Plants

Fort Lauderdale promotes native and Florida-Friendly Landscaping through ULDR Section 47-21, which incorporates Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles into the city's development regulations. The ordinance specifies maximum percentages for irrigated turf and impervious surfaces.

Key details: Code Section: ULDR §47-21. FL-Friendly Principles: Integrated into city development code. Irrigated Turf: Maximum percentage limits apply. Invasive Species: Must be removed during development. State Law: FL §373.185 protects FL-Friendly practices.

Failure to meet landscaping requirements during development or renovation may result in permit denial or code enforcement action. Invasive exotic species must be removed as a condition of development approval.

Rainwater Harvesting

Florida law explicitly permits rainwater harvesting and prohibits local governments from banning it. Fort Lauderdale residents may collect rainwater from rooftops using rain barrels and cisterns without a city permit for typical residential use.

Key details: State Law: FL §373.228 — expressly permits harvesting. Local Ban: Prohibited by state law. Permit Required: No — for typical rain barrels. Mosquito Prevention: Containers must be sealed or screened. Large Systems: May need building permit if plumbed.

There are no penalties for residential rainwater harvesting. Large installations may require building permits if they involve plumbing or structural modifications. Standing water creating mosquito breeding habitat may violate Broward County mosquito control ordinances.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Fort Lauderdale gives residents more flexibility on rainwater harvesting.

Weed Ordinances

Fort Lauderdale Code Section 18-12 makes any accumulation or untended growth of weeds, undergrowth, or other dead or living plant life on a property a public nuisance, and Section 18-3 sets the threshold by defining 'overgrowth' as weeds (or lawn/grass) over six inches in height.

Key details: Prohibition: Fort Lauderdale Code Sec. 18-12(a). Weed/overgrowth threshold: Over 6 inches (Sec. 18-3). Covers: Weeds, undergrowth, dead or living plant life. Abutting areas: Swales, sidewalks, waterways included. Enforcement: 10-day notice; special magistrate; lien.

An untended weed/undergrowth condition is abated after a posted 10-day notice; non-compliance can be cited before the special magistrate and the City may clear the property, with the total expense plus administrative costs becoming a special assessment and lien on the parcel.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Fort Lauderdale actively enforces its weed ordinances requirements.

The Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Fort Lauderdale, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

Keep in mind that Fort Lauderdale can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.