Pembroke Pines's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Pembroke Pines, 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.

Weed Ordinances

Pembroke Pines prohibits excessively high grass and weeds under the property maintenance code. Regular mowing is required for all properties including vacant land. Property owners must maintain swales, sidewalks, and curb areas. Dead trees and limbs must be removed. Code Compliance enforces vegetation standards with fines under FL Statute 162.

Key details: Grass/Weeds: Excessively high prohibited. Swale Trees: 8 ft above sidewalk, 10 ft above street. Dead Trees: Must be removed. Enforcement: Code Compliance 954-431-4466. Penalties: Fines under FL §162.

Excessively high grass and weeds are code violations. Fines up to $250/day for repeat violations under FL Statute 162.

Water Restrictions

Pembroke Pines follows South Florida Water Management District watering restrictions. Year-round landscape irrigation is limited to two days per week with odd/even address scheduling.

Key details: Watering Days: Two per week (odd/even schedule). Prohibited Times: 10 AM – 4 PM. Odd Addresses: Wednesday and Saturday. Even Addresses: Thursday and Sunday. Authority: South Florida Water Management District.

Water restriction violations result in warnings then fines that escalate with each offense, per SFWMD enforcement.

Tree Trimming

Pembroke Pines requires property owners to maintain trees and ensure they don't obstruct sidewalks, streets, or sight lines. The city arborist oversees tree management.

Key details: Sidewalk Clearance: 8 feet minimum. Street Clearance: 14 feet minimum. City Arborist: Manages public trees. Hurricane Zone: Proper trimming important for storms.

Failure to maintain clearance results in notices. The city may perform trimming and bill the owner.

Grass Height Limits

Pembroke Pines enforces property maintenance standards requiring regular lawn maintenance. Overgrown grass and weeds are among the most common code violations in the city.

Key details: Maximum Height: Approximately 8–10 inches. Common Violation: Among most cited in city. HOA Standards: Often stricter than city code. Non-Compliance: City mows, bills owner, may lien.

Owners receive notices. Non-compliance results in city abatement billed to the owner. Liens may be placed on the property.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Pembroke Pines actively enforces its grass height limits requirements.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Pembroke Pines requires a tree removal permit per §155.674. Contact the city arborist at landscape@ppines.com or 954-392-2100. Replacement trees must be installed within 30 days of removal.

Key details: Permit Required: Yes — per §155.674. Contact: landscape@ppines.com / 954-392-2100. Replacement: Within 30 calendar days. Application: Must justify removal reason.

Removing trees without a permit results in significant fines and mandatory replacement planting. Failure to replace within 30 days results in additional penalties.

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

Artificial Turf

Pembroke Pines does not have a specific ordinance banning or heavily restricting artificial turf on residential properties. The Land Development Code Chapter 155 governs landscaping standards. FL Statute 163.3232 prohibits local governments from banning drought-tolerant landscaping including artificial turf in many contexts. HOA rules may separately restrict artificial turf installation.

Key details: Ban: No city ban on artificial turf. State Preemption: FL §163.3232 protects alternatives. HOA: May have separate restrictions. Maintenance: Must be kept in good condition. Drainage: Must not impair stormwater.

Poorly maintained artificial turf may be cited as a property maintenance violation. HOA violations are enforced separately.

The rules around artificial turf in Pembroke Pines lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Native Plants

Pembroke Pines encourages native and Florida-friendly landscaping through its Land Development Code Chapter 155. The city maintains a Preferred Tree Planting List specifying recommended species. FL Statute 163.3232 supports drought-tolerant and native plant landscaping. Invasive species listed by FLEPPC must be removed. No mandatory native plant percentage is required for residential properties.

Key details: Native Plants: Encouraged, not mandatory. Tree List: Preferred species published. Invasive Species: FLEPPC Category I removal. State Law: FL §163.3232 FL-Friendly. Contact: 954-392-2100.

Failure to remove invasive species is not specifically penalized, but overall landscaping must comply with maintenance standards.

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

Rainwater Harvesting

Pembroke Pines does not prohibit residential rainwater harvesting. FL Statute 373.228 encourages rainwater collection and prohibits local governments from restricting rainwater harvesting on residential properties. Rain barrels and cisterns do not require permits. The South Florida Water Management District promotes water conservation. HOA restrictions on rain barrels are limited by state law.

Key details: Allowed: Yes, state law protects. Permit: None required. State Law: FL §373.228. HOA Limits: FL §163.04 protections. Use: Irrigation and non-potable.

No local violations apply to rainwater harvesting. State law prohibits local restrictions on residential rainwater collection.

The rules around rainwater harvesting in Pembroke Pines lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Pembroke Pines 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 Pembroke Pines's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.