How Largo Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide
Largo maintains 68 local ordinances across all categories, and 5 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Largo falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Native Plants
Largo cannot prohibit Florida-Friendly Landscaping that incorporates native plants and drought-tolerant species under Florida Statute 373.185, and the city's landscape standards in Chapter 10 of the CDC encourage native and Florida-Friendly designs.
Key details: Requirement: Florida Statute 373.185 protects Florida-Friendly yards. Requirement: Native plants are encouraged in CDC Chapter 10. Requirement: HOAs cannot prohibit Florida-Friendly designs. Requirement: Minimum tree and buffer counts still apply. Requirement: Replacement plantings must meet Chapter 10 specs.
No penalty for Florida-Friendly plantings on private property; failing to meet minimum tree, buffer, or screening counts under Chapter 10 may still trigger code enforcement.
Largo is more permissive than most cities when it comes to native plants. That said, there are still limits.
Weed Ordinances
Largo caps uncultivated weeds, grass and overgrowth at a mean height of 12 inches on developed lots under ten acres, treating anything taller as a public-health and fire nuisance under Section 11-48. The rule reaches privately owned land within 100 feet of a public or private boundary and requires owners to keep the abutting right-of-way mowed too.
Key details: Height limit: 12 inches mean height. Applies to: Lots under 10 acres, developed. Exempt: Undeveloped, wetlands, sensitive land. Compliance notice: 10 business days minimum. Lien interest: 12% per year.
Letting grass, weeds or uncultivated vegetation exceed a 12-inch mean height on a developed lot, or leaving the abutting right-of-way overgrown, violates Section 11-48. The city issues a written notice with at least ten business days to cut it; if the owner does not comply, the city can mow the lot and lien the property under Sections 11-49 and 11-50, or issue a notice to appear under the county fine schedule.
Water Restrictions
Largo follows Southwest Florida Water Management District restrictions, currently a Modified Phase III shortage limiting irrigation to one day per week within designated overnight or evening hours, with violations carrying citations and escalating fines.
Key details: Rule: One-day-per-week irrigation is required. Permission: Allowed hours are 12:01-4 a.m. or 8-11:59 p.m.. Rule: Watering day depends on address last digit. Rule: Reclaimed water has separate schedules. Rule: First-offense citation is $193.
Initial citation of $193 from Pinellas County Utilities; fines double for repeat violations; SWFWMD enforcement up to $500 per occurrence under F.S. Ch. 373.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Largo actively enforces its water restrictions requirements.
Artificial Turf
Largo cannot prohibit synthetic turf on single-family residential lots up to one acre that meet Florida Department of Environmental Protection standards under Florida Statute 125.572, though the city retains authority over commercial properties and design review.
Key details: Detail: F.S. 125.572 preempts local bans on residential turf. Detail: Applies to single-family lots one acre or less. Detail: Must meet FDEP minimum standards. Pool Safety: Drainage and stormwater rules still apply. Detail: Commercial sites still subject to CDC Chapter 10.
No penalty for compliant single-family installations; non-compliant installations on commercial or multi-family sites can trigger CDC Chapter 10 enforcement and replacement orders.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Largo requires city manager authorization before any tree can be removed from a public right-of-way, under City Code Sec. 21-23. The city separately opted its incorporated area out of the county's tree removal ordinance under Sec. 19-25, and a $20 tree removal permit fee applies per Appendix B.
Key details: Governing section: City Code § 21-23. Scope: Trees in the public right-of-way. Authorization required: City manager or designee. County ordinance: Exempted per § 19-25. Permit fee (Appendix B): $20.00 per permit.
Because Sec. 21-23 carries no specific penalty of its own, removing a right-of-way tree without the city manager's direction falls under the citywide general penalty in Sec. 1-15, a fine of up to $500.00, imprisonment up to 60 days, or both.
The Bottom Line
Largo'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 Largo is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Largo 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.