Hollywood's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Hollywood, 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.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Hollywood requires permits for tree removal in many cases. Tree trimming and removal is regulated through the city's development and landscaping codes. Contact Hollywood Planning & Development for tree permit requirements.

Key details: Permit: Required for significant tree removal. Contact: Hollywood Planning: 954-921-3471. Yard Waste: 4 cubic yards/week for disposal; landscapers must remove their waste. Enforcement: Code Compliance: 954-921-3061.

Removal without permit: violation of Ch. 155.54, 155.99, and Ch. 106 plus the Landscape Manual. Penalty: $90 per tree for non-permitted removal. Additional Code Enforcement fines possible.

Grass Height Limits

Hollywood FL prohibits grass and weeds over 8 inches. Regular mowing is required including on vacant properties. Hedges and limbs must be cut back to the property line and not obstruct sidewalks, streets, or alleys. Code Compliance officers patrol zones for violations.

Key details: Max Grass Height: 8 inches. Hedges: Must be cut to property line. Sidewalk Clearance: Must not obstruct. Vacant Lots: Same requirement applies. Yard Waste: 4 cubic yards/week allowed.

Grass over 8 inches results in a code enforcement citation with a compliance deadline. Failure to comply leads to escalating fines through the Special Magistrate process.

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

Water Restrictions

Hollywood FL enforces South Florida Water Management District Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Rule. No watering on Mondays, Tuesdays, or Fridays. Odd-numbered addresses: Wednesdays and Saturdays 5 PM-9 AM. Even-numbered addresses: Thursdays and Sundays 5 PM-9 AM. Daytime irrigation is never allowed.

Key details: Odd Addresses: Wed & Sat, 5 PM – 9 AM. Even Addresses: Thu & Sun, 5 PM – 9 AM. No Watering Days: Mon, Tue, Fri. Daytime Irrigation: Never allowed. Hand Watering: Permitted anytime.

Watering on restricted days or during prohibited hours is a violation of the SFWMD rule. Fines apply through both the water management district and local code enforcement.

Artificial Turf

Hollywood FL does not prohibit artificial turf. Florida Statute 163.3205 protects drought-tolerant landscaping from local bans. HOA restrictions are limited by state law. No permit is typically required for artificial turf installation alone. The turf must be maintained to avoid blighting conditions.

Key details: City Ban: No ban on artificial turf. State Protection: FL §163.3205. HOA Limits: Limited by state law. Permit: Not typically required. Drainage: Must be maintained.

Poorly maintained artificial turf creating blighting conditions may be cited under property maintenance codes.

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

Native Plants

Florida Statute 163.3205 protects homeowners' rights to Florida-friendly landscaping including native plants. Hollywood FL follows Broward County landscaping standards. HOAs cannot require specific grass types or ban drought-tolerant alternatives. The city promotes environmental sustainability.

Key details: State Protection: FL §163.3205. HOA Restrictions: Limited by state law. City Program: Environmental sustainability promotion. Resources: UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly guidelines. Water Savings: Supported by SFWMD.

No violations for compliant Florida-friendly landscaping. HOAs restricting native plantings may violate state law.

Hollywood is more permissive than most cities when it comes to native plants. That said, there are still limits.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal in Hollywood FL under Florida Statute 373.62. Rain barrels and cisterns are permitted without a city permit for residential use. HOAs cannot ban rain barrels. Collected water may be used for irrigation and non-potable purposes. Systems must prevent mosquito breeding.

Key details: Legal Status: Expressly authorized (FL §373.62). Permit: Not required for rain barrels. HOA Ban: Prohibited by state law. Uses: Irrigation, non-potable purposes. Mosquito Control: Must prevent standing water.

No violations for properly maintained rain barrels. Standing water creating mosquito habitat may result in health code citations.

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

Tree Trimming

Hedges and limbs must be cut back to the property line in Hollywood FL. Vegetation may not overhang or obstruct sidewalks, streets, or alleys. Broward County's tree preservation ordinance prohibits improper pruning (hat-racking, topping). Tree removal requires a permit for native trees over 3 inches in diameter.

Key details: Property Line: Trim hedges/limbs to line. Sidewalk Clearance: 8 feet vertical. Street Clearance: 14 feet vertical. Prohibited Pruning: Hat-racking, topping, stub cutting. Removal Permit: Required for native trees >3 inches.

Vegetation obstructing sidewalks is a code violation. Improper pruning carries county fines and corrective requirements. Illegal tree removal: up to $5,000 per tree.

Weed Ordinances

Hollywood FL prohibits grass and weeds over 8 inches citywide. All properties including vacant lots must be maintained free of overgrown vegetation. Code Compliance patrols zones proactively with 95% of violations found during routine patrol. Compliance timeframes are set in citations.

Key details: Max Height: 8 inches for grass and weeds. Applies To: All properties including vacant. Patrol Rate: 95% of violations from routine patrol. Compliance: Timeframe set in citation. Abatement: City may clear and charge owner.

Citations with compliance deadlines. Escalating fines through the Special Magistrate. City may abate and charge the owner.

Compared to other cities, Hollywood takes a harder line on weed ordinances. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Hollywood gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 of the 8 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

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