How New Port Richey Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide
New Port Richey maintains 80 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where New Port Richey falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Artificial Turf
New Port Richey's foreclosure and vacant-property maintenance code allows artificial turf or sod designed for residential, commercial or industrial installation to satisfy landscaping requirements under City Code section 26-6(b).
Key details: Artificial turf: allowed as qualifying landscaping. Product standard: residential/commercial-grade turf or sod. Applies to: vacant, foreclosure-registered lots. Excluded materials: weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt.
Failing to maintain compliant landscaping on a covered property, including artificial turf that isn't kept clean and weed-free, is a City Code violation under section 26-6(e), enforceable by citation against the mortgagee or property owner of record.
New Port Richey is more permissive than most cities when it comes to artificial turf. That said, there are still limits.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
New Port Richey requires inch-for-inch tree replacement when a permitted tree is removed, or a payment into the city's tree fund at $62.50 per inch for shade trees and $25 per inch for palms.
Key details: Replacement ratio: 1 inch DBH for 1 inch removed. Fee in lieu, shade trees: $62.50 per inch. Fee in lieu, palms: $25.00 per inch. Minimum stock size: 8 feet tall, Nursery Grade #1. Small-lot minimum: 2 to 8 trees by lot size.
Skipping the required replacement trees or the tree-fund payment leaves a certificate of occupancy withheld, since the building official can hold permits and inspections until every condition of a tree removal permit is met.
Weed Ordinances
New Port Richey caps weeds, brush and dead vegetation at 10 inches on vacant and foreclosure-registered properties under City Code section 26-6, part of the city's foreclosure registration and blight-prevention chapter.
Key details: Max height: 10 inches for weeds/brush. Applies to: vacant, defaulted, foreclosed lots. Enforcement: code enforcement citation. Code location: Chapter 26, foreclosure registration.
Failure to maintain the property under section 26-6(e) is a City Code violation that can result in a code enforcement citation against the mortgagee or property owner of record, in addition to the chapter's registration fees.
Water Restrictions
New Port Richey follows SWFWMD water restrictions enforced through Pasco County Ordinance Ch. 62, Art. II, Div. 3. Currently under a Modified Phase I Water Shortage Order, lawn irrigation is limited to one day per week based on address number. Watering is only permitted between midnight and 8 AM (reclaimed) or 6 PM to 8 AM (potable/well).
Key details: Frequency: One day per week. Hours (potable): 6 PM to 8 AM. Hours (reclaimed): Midnight to 8 AM. Authority: SWFWMD + Pasco Co. Ch. 62.
Compared to other cities, New Port Richey takes a harder line on water restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.
The Bottom Line
New Port Richey'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 New Port Richey is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on New Port Richey's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.