Fort Myers's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Fort Myers, Florida, there are 5 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.

Tree Trimming

Fort Myers bans trimming, cutting or removing street trees in the right-of-way or required street trees without city approval, with a written-request process.

Key details: Unauthorized trim/cut fine: $250 per occurrence. Unauthorized removal cost: $1,000 min or replacement cost. Approval needed from: Parks & Recreation Dept.. Misdemeanor penalty (Sec. 138-81): Up to 60 days, $500 fine. Applies in: City of Fort Myers, Lee County.

Unauthorized cutting, trimming, removing or defacing carries a $250 fine per occurrence. Full removal costs a minimum of $1,000 or the price of an equal-size replacement tree, whichever is greater. The police department and code enforcement division enforce it, and violations can also go before the code enforcement board or be prosecuted as a second-degree misdemeanor (up to 60 days jail and/or a $500 fine) under Sec. 138-81, with each tree removed a separate offense.

Compared to other cities, Fort Myers takes a harder line on tree trimming. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Weed Ordinances

Fort Myers requires owners and occupants to cut weeds, grass, and underbrush to no more than 12 inches, or the city cuts it and bills a $50 abatement fee.

Key details: Max height allowed: 12 inches. First abatement fee: $50.00. Repeat-offense fee: $150.00. Notice before city mows: 10 days. Large-lot rule: 100-ft perimeter strip only.

Non-abatement triggers city mowing plus a $50 fee ($150 if repeated within 24 months), recorded as a property lien; repeated noncompliance also draws a code enforcement citation as a civil infraction under § 2-442, capped at $500.

Water Restrictions

Fort Myers restricts landscape irrigation to two assigned days each week based on address parity, and bans all watering between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. year-round under the city's water conservation ordinance.

Key details: Watering hours banned: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily. Even addresses: Thursday and/or Sunday only. Odd addresses: Wednesday and/or Saturday only. First violation: Written warning, no fine. Repeat fines: Up to $500 per day.

First violation draws a written warning; a second violation carries a fine up to $80, a third up to $200, and each subsequent violation up to $500 per day.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Cutting down any tree 4 inches or more in trunk diameter within Fort Myers city limits requires a city permit first, and mangroves need one regardless of size.

Key details: DBH threshold: 4 inches or greater. Mangroves: permit required at any size. Permit validity: expires 6 months after issuance. Fine per violation: $250, plus $1,000 min. replacement. Appeal path: tree removal review board, then board of adjustments.

Unauthorized cutting, trimming, removal or defacing carries a $250 fine per occurrence, a minimum $1,000 replacement cost (or the price of an equal-size replacement tree), and can be charged as a second-degree misdemeanor under state law: up to 60 days in jail and/or a $500 fine, with each tree removed a separate offense.

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

Native Plants

Fort Myers requires at least 75% of trees and 50% of shrubs used in required landscaping to be Florida native species, under the city's Land Development Code vegetation chapter.

Key details: Native tree minimum: 75% of required trees. Native shrub minimum: 50% of required shrubs. Large-site preservation: 50% open space via native preservation (10+ acres). Applies to: New/expanded development citywide, Lee County. Enforced by: Community Development Director, site permit review.

Landscape plans that fall short of the native-species ratio are rejected during site-plan and permit review by the Community Development Director; installed plants that die or fail to meet the standard must be replaced within 30 days of a city notice.

The Bottom Line

Fort Myers is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Fort Myers, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Fort Myers's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.