Landscaping Rules in Fort Myers, FL (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Fort Myers, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Lawns, grass, weeds, and underbrush must be kept cut to no more than 12 inches in height on all property within the City of Fort Myers. Property owners are also responsible for maintaining the same standard in their portion of the City right-of-way. Code Compliance enforces under the City's nuisance vegetation provisions.
Fort Myers 12-Inch Grass & Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
On a single-family residential lot, Florida Statute 163.045 prevents the City of Fort Myers from requiring a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation to prune, trim, or remove a tree if the owner holds documentation from an ISA-certified arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect that the tree poses an unacceptable risk under ISA Best Management Practices — Tree Risk Assessment, Second Edition (2017). Routine pruning outside this exemption is unregulated on private property, but ANSI A300 standards are recommended.
Fort Myers Tree Trimming — FS 163.045 Arborist Exemption
Few RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Fort Myers Chapter 138 (Vegetation) of the Land Development Code, including Section 138-46, governs protected-tree removal and requires permitting through the Building, Permitting & Inspections Division (239-321-7925). Florida Statute 163.045 overrides the City permit on single-family residential property when the owner has ISA-certified arborist documentation that the tree is dangerous. Native-species tree removal is specifically listed as a permit-required activity by the City.
Fort Myers Tree Removal — Chapter 138 Vegetation + FS 163.045
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Fort Myers Code Compliance enforces a citywide 12-inch maximum height for grass, weeds and underbrush on all property, including vacant lots, plus the adjacent right-of-way strip. Violations are corrected by City-contracted abatement billed and liened against the property. The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) regulates state-listed noxious weeds separately.
Fort Myers Nuisance Vegetation & Weed Control
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Fort Myers Code of Ordinances Chapter 90, Article III (Water Shortage Regulations) enforces year-round landscape irrigation limits aligned with SFWMD Chapter 40E-24, F.A.C. Irrigation is prohibited daily between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Even-numbered addresses may water Thursday and/or Sunday; odd-numbered addresses may water Wednesday and/or Saturday. Hand watering with a self-cancelling nozzle is allowed at any time. Penalties reach $500 per day per violation.
Fort Myers Year-Round Irrigation — Ch. 90 Art. III + SFWMD
Heavy RestrictionsNative Plants
Florida Statute 373.185 establishes Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) as a protected statewide policy. A local government ordinance or HOA covenant may not prohibit any property owner from implementing FFL on his or her land. Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and unincorporated Lee County all sit within SFWMD's program. The UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program publishes the official nine principles.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping in Fort Myers (FS 373.185)
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
The City of Fort Myers Code of Ordinances does not prohibit artificial turf on residential property. Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FS 373.185) protects water-conserving alternatives to traditional lawn, but artificial turf is not within the statutory FFL definition — so HOAs may still adopt reasonable rules limiting it. New developments must still meet Chapter 138 (Vegetation) landscape buffer and tree requirements, which generally require living plant material.
Artificial Turf in Fort Myers — Allowed; HOA Rules Govern
Few RestrictionsLooking for Lee County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fort Myers city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Lee County →