What Spring Hill Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Spring Hill is a mid-sized city in Hernando County, Florida, with about 114000 residents. Like most cities its size, it has a set of local rules that may differ significantly from neighboring municipalities. Here is an overview of 106 ordinances across 23 categories that affect daily life in Spring Hill.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: Hernando County rules govern Spring Hill. Amplified music is regulated under the Sec.

Also covered: Aircraft Noise (permissive), Decibel Limits (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Spring Hill for details.

Noise from Specific Sources

HVAC & Mechanical Noise: Hernando County rules govern Spring Hill. Properly functioning residential air-conditioning equipment is expressly EXEMPTED from the Sec.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Short-term rentals in Spring Hill (unincorporated Hernando County) collect a combined 11.5% in state and county taxes on stays of 6 months or less: 6.0% Florida state transient rental sales tax (FS § 212.03), 0.5% Hernando County discretionary sales surtax (effective Jan 1, 2016, scheduled to expire Dec 31, 2035), and 5.0% Hernando County Tourist Development Tax (Hernando County Ordinance 2014-17, administered by the Hernando County Clerk of Circuit Court & Comptroller). There is no Spring Hill municipal lodging tax because Spring Hill has no city government.

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (moderate), Permit Requirements (moderate), Noise Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Spring Hill for details.

Fire Regulations

Outdoor Burning: Outdoor burning in Spring Hill is governed by Chapter 12 of the Hernando County Code (Fire Prevention and Protection), the Florida Fire Prevention Code (8th Edition, NFPA 1, 2021), and Florida Administrative Code Chapter 5I-2 (Florida Forest Service - Open Burning). The Florida Forest Service has exclusive statutory authority under FS Chapter 590 to issue authorizations for pile burning; non-permitted pile burning is prohibited.

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Smoke Detectors (strict). See the full fire regulations guide for Spring Hill for details.

Parking Rules

RV & Boat Parking: Spring Hill is an unincorporated community of Hernando County, so RV, motor home, travel trailer, and boat parking on residential lots is governed by the Hernando County Code of Ordinances (Appendix A, Zoning). The county allows residents to store an RV, travel trailer, or boat at their home so long as it is parked to the rear or side of the residence - parking a recreational vehicle or travel trailer beyond the front line of the home is one of Hernando County's most commonly cited code violations.

Also covered: Street Parking Limits (moderate), Overnight Parking (permissive), Driveway Rules (permissive). See the full parking rules guide for Spring Hill for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Dark Sky Rules: Spring Hill is an inland unincorporated community in Hernando County with no Gulf of Mexico beachfront within Spring Hill itself, so no city-style sea turtle lighting ordinance applies in Spring Hill proper. Hernando County has not adopted a dedicated dark-sky / IDA International Dark-Sky Association lighting code, although in February-April 2023 the Hernando County Board of County Commissioners directed the County Attorney to research the County's limits on regulating illumination and light pollution and considered modeling a residential lighting ordinance after Volusia County and South Miami.

Animal Ordinances

Wildlife Feeding: Florida bans the intentional feeding of multiple wildlife species statewide, and Spring Hill - which sits adjacent to the Weeki Wachee Springs/Weeki Wachee River, Annutteliga Hammock, Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge to the north, and the Withlacoochee State Forest to the east - is squarely inside the enforcement zone. FWC Rule 68A-4.001(3) prohibits the feeding of black bears and Florida panthers; FWC Rule 68A-25.002 prohibits the feeding of alligators and crocodiles; FWC Rule 68A-13.004 protects sandhill cranes; FWC Rule 68A-16.002 protects bald eagles.

Also covered: Beekeeping (permissive), Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Breed Restrictions (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Spring Hill for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Pool barriers in Spring Hill (unincorporated Hernando County) must comply with Florida Statute Chapter 515 (Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act) and the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code Residential Section R4501.17. Required minimums: 48-inch barrier height on the side facing away from the pool, no openings that allow passage of a 4-inch-diameter sphere, maximum 2-inch ground clearance, self-closing and self-latching gates that open outward away from the pool, and latch release at least 54 inches above the bottom of the gate.

Also covered: Neighbor Fence Rules (moderate), Approved Materials (moderate), Permit Requirements (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for Spring Hill for details.

Invasive Plant Rules

Bamboo Restrictions: Hernando County (and therefore Spring Hill) does NOT have a bamboo-specific ordinance. Bamboo (Phyllostachys spp., Bambusa spp.) is not on the FDACS Florida Noxious Weed List (Rule 5B-57.007) and is not on the Florida Invasive Species Council (FISC, formerly FLEPPC) Category 1 or 2 invasive list, so it is not banned by state or county law.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Pool Permits: Spring Hill residents must obtain a building permit from the Hernando County Building Division (789 Providence Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601, (352) 754-4050) for any swimming pool, hot tub, or nonportable spa containing water more than 24 inches deep - this includes inground, aboveground, and onground pools. Plans must comply with the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code Residential Chapter 45 (Sections R4501.17 through R4501.17.3), the 2020 National Electrical Code Article 680, Florida Statute Chapter 515 (Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act), and the Hernando County Code.

Also covered: Hot Tub Rules (moderate), Safety Rules (strict), Fencing Requirements (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Spring Hill for details.

Landscaping Rules

Water Restrictions: Spring Hill is in unincorporated Hernando County, served by Hernando County Utilities and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). Hernando County's local ordinance (Code of Ordinances Chapter 28, Article XI) is more restrictive than SWFWMD's two-day year-round standard: irrigation is limited to ONE day per week year-round, with watering allowed only between 12:01 AM-4:00 AM OR 8:00 PM-11:59 PM on the assigned day.

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (moderate), Weed Ordinances (moderate), Tree Trimming (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Spring Hill for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Replacement Requirements: Removal of a Specimen (18-inch DBH or greater) or Majestic (36-inch DBH or greater) tree under Hernando County Code § 10-23, or removal of any required Chapter 10 landscape tree, generally triggers replacement. For commercial projects, § 10-23 requires a minimum of fifteen (15) trees per acre, including at least five (5) shade trees.

Also covered: Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate), Tree Removal Permits (moderate), Tree Ordinances (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Spring Hill for details.

Home Business

Home Occupation Permits: Spring Hill home-based business operators must obtain a Hernando County Business Tax Receipt (BTR) under Chapter 18 of the Hernando County Code and Florida Statute Chapter 205. Hernando County is preempted by FS 559.955 from imposing a separate home-occupation zoning permit or any home-business-specific license that does not also apply to comparable non-home businesses.

Also covered: Signage Rules (moderate), Home Daycare (moderate), Zoning Restrictions (permissive). See the full home business guide for Spring Hill for details.

Accessory Structures

ADU Rules: Hernando County permits an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) only as an attached addition to an owner-occupied single-family home — detached backyard cottages, guest houses, and tiny homes on the same lot are NOT permitted. The ADU is capped at 50% of the primary dwelling's gross habitable floor area, may have its own kitchen, bathroom, sleeping area, and laundry, and may not be sold separately.

Also covered: Shed Rules (permissive), Garage Conversions (moderate), Carport Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Spring Hill for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Spring Hill is an unincorporated CDP in Hernando County. Hernando County participates in FEMA's Community Rating System at Class 5 (per FEMA's April 2024 CRS Eligible Communities list), delivering a 25% flood insurance premium discount for NFIP policyholders inside the Special Flood Hazard Area and a 10% discount for policyholders outside.

Also covered: Stormwater Management (strict), Coastal Development (moderate), Boat Dock Permits (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Spring Hill for details.

Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane Shutters: Spring Hill is in unincorporated Hernando County and sits inside the Hurricane-Prone Region under the 8th Edition (2023) Florida Building Code. Hernando County design wind speeds under ASCE 7-22 are approximately 140 mph along the Gulf coast (with 130-140 mph inland in the Tampa Bay region per UF GeoPlan / Florida Building Commission mapping).

Also covered: Flood Elevation (strict), Roof Standards (strict), Storm Debris (moderate). See the full hurricane preparedness guide for Spring Hill for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Setback Rules: Spring Hill residential setbacks are governed by Hernando County Code Appendix A Article IV. The dominant Spring Hill zoning is R-1B (7,500 sq ft min lot, 75 ft min width) with 25 ft front, 10 ft side, 20 ft rear setbacks — reduced to 20 ft front, 7 ft side, 15 ft rear for lots created prior to Ordinance 72-3 (most of the original Deltona-platted Spring Hill).

Sign Regulations

Garage Sale Signs: Garage-sale signs in Spring Hill are governed by Hernando County Code Chapter 25.5 (Signs). Only official regulatory signs are allowed on County right-of-way; all other signs — including garage-sale and yard-sale signs — placed in the swale, median, or attached to utility poles, street lights, traffic signs, fences, or trees are considered trash and may be removed and disposed of by Hernando County Code Enforcement officers without notice.

Also covered: Political Signs (moderate), Holiday Displays (permissive). See the full sign regulations guide for Spring Hill for details.

Property Maintenance

Vacant Lot Maintenance: Spring Hill was master-planned by the Deltona Corporation in 1967 with 28,500 platted lots sold in three years, leaving thousands of small individually owned vacant residential parcels scattered through Hernando County — vacant-lot mowing is one of the most heavily enforced code issues in the County. The same standard applies as for occupied lots: grass, weeds, and underbrush may not exceed 18 inches tall (excluding seed pods) under Hernando County code, but only where natural vegetation has been removed.

Also covered: Trash Bin Storage (moderate), Property Blight (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (permissive). See the full property maintenance guide for Spring Hill for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Dispensary Zoning: Florida has only medical marijuana — no adult-use recreational sales and no home cultivation (Amendment 3 failed at the 60% threshold in November 2024). Under Florida Statutes 381.986(11), cities and counties have a binary choice: either ban Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) dispensing facilities outright, OR allow them under zoning rules NO MORE RESTRICTIVE than the rules for pharmacies licensed under Chapter 465.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Florida Statute § 509.102 forbids Hernando County from prohibiting food trucks 'within the entirety of the entity's jurisdiction,' which preempts countywide bans and proximity buffers from brick-and-mortar restaurants in Spring Hill. Hernando County controls where food trucks may operate only through generally applicable zoning under Appendix A — food trucks must operate in zoning districts that allow retail food sales, with the property owner's permission.

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (permissive). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Spring Hill for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: U.S. airspace is federally regulated by the FAA (Part 107 for commercial; 49 U.S.C.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Solar installations in Spring Hill require a building permit through the Hernando County Building Division and must comply with the Florida Building Code (FBC) — Residential Chapter 23 (Solar Energy Systems), the FBC-Building wind-load provisions, and the FBC-Electrical (NEC). Permits are submitted through the County's Tyler/EnerGov self-service portal; initial plan review runs 10–21 days, although Florida Statute § 553.791 imposes a binding 3-business-day ceiling for residential solar via the streamlined master-permit process.

What to Do With This Information

This overview covers the big picture, but the details matter. Each ordinance page for Spring Hill includes the full text, violation penalties, and frequently asked questions. Use those pages when you need specifics.