Fort Lauderdale's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, there are 4 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.

Weed Ordinances

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

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.

Native Plants

Fort Lauderdale's water conservation code makes it official city policy to encourage drought-tolerant, native Florida-Friendly landscaping, and it flatly bars any rule that would prohibit a resident from planting one. Code Sec. 28-1B(c)(3) states this in one sentence.

Key details: Citation: Code Sec. 28-1B(c)(3). Effect: Bars prohibiting Florida-Friendly yards. Enacted: Ord. No. C-09-13, 6-16-09. Last amended: Ord. No. C-21-34, 11-16-21. Defined term: Florida-Friendly Landscape, Sec. 28-1B(a).

There is no fine tied to Sec. 28-1B(c)(3) itself because it is a protective policy statement, not a prohibition. Enforcement action instead runs the other way: a property owner who believes a neighbor, HOA covenant, or city inspector is improperly treating a genuine Florida-Friendly Landscape as a nuisance or code violation can cite this section as a defense. Separately, the irrigation misuse and scheduling rules in the rest of Sec. 28-1B (excess watering, spray during restricted hours, missing rain sensors) remain independently enforceable and carry the water restriction violation fees the city applies under its water conservation program.

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

The Bottom Line

Fort Lauderdale's landscaping 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 Fort Lauderdale is broadly strict or permissive.

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.