Landscaping Rules in Homestead, FL (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Homestead, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Homestead's landscape code caps how much of a tree property owners and contractors can cut at once: no more than one-third of a tree's living canopy may be removed in any one-year period, cuts must follow ANSI A300 pruning standards, and heavy lateral-branch removal is allowed only for hazard or clearance pruning.
Homestead Tree Pruning Standards
Some RestrictionsCity of Homestead Code of Ordinances § 29-11
Trees shall be pruned in the following manner: ... (3)Cutting of lateral branches that results in the removal of more than one-third (⅓) of all branches on one (1) side of a tree shall only be allowed if required for hazard reduction or clearance pruning. ... (5)No more than one-third (⅓) of a tree's living canopy shall be removed within a one-year period.(6)Trees shall be pruned according to t...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Tree removal in Homestead is regulated under Miami-Dade County Code Section 24-49. Protected native species like live oak, mahogany, gumbo limbo, and royal palm require permits for removal. Dead, hazardous, or invasive species (Australian pine, Brazilian pepper, melaleuca) can be removed without permits. Mitigation through replanting or tree fund contribution may be required.
Homestead Tree Removal & Protected Trees
Some RestrictionsMiami-Dade County Code Sec. 24-49 — Tree Removal (Homestead has own tree ordinance)
Tree Removal or Relocation Permits: A tree removal/relocation permit is required for the removal or relocation of any tree within Miami-Dade County not specifically exempt under the Environmental Code of Miami-Dade County. [...] Municipal Jurisdictions: The municipalities below have their own tree ordinances that address tree removal requirements for most residential or commercial properties. C...
Weed Ordinances
Homestead caps untended weed and grass growth at 8 inches on improved lots, including those in the Community Redevelopment Area, and at 12 inches on unimproved lots outside the CRA. Violations are a public nuisance under City Code Sec. 19-95, enforced by the code enforcement board.
Homestead Max Weed & Grass Height Limits
Some RestrictionsHomestead, FL City Code § 19-95(a)
The following are hereby prohibited and declared to be a public nuisance and unlawful: the existence of the excessive accumulation or the untended growth of weeds, undergrowth or other dead or living plant life, to a point where any amount of the growth on any improved lot, any lot located in an improved residential area or on any lot located within the community redevelopment area is in excess...
Water Restrictions
Homestead follows South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) year-round landscape irrigation rules. Watering is limited to two days per week based on address. Irrigation is prohibited between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. New landscaping may qualify for temporary watering exemptions. Violations carry increasing fines.
Homestead Water Restrictions & Irrigation Rules
Some RestrictionsSFWMD — Water Conservation (Landscape Watering Restrictions)
Conserving water year-round is an integral part of managing and protecting South Florida's water supplies for today and for our future generations. Around 3 billion gallons of water are used every day in central and southern Florida by 9 million residents and visitors – for watering our lawns, drinking and bathing, growing our crops and servicing our industries. Future water needs are projected...
Rainwater Harvesting
Florida law (FL Statute Section 373.228) encourages rainwater harvesting statewide. Homestead residents may collect rainwater using rain barrels and cisterns without a permit for non-potable uses like irrigation. HOA restrictions on rain barrels are preempted by state law. South Florida's rainy season makes harvesting particularly effective.
Homestead Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. 373.228
373.228 Landscape irrigation design. — (1) The Legislature finds that multiple areas throughout the state have been identified by water management districts as water resource caution areas, which indicates that in the near future water demand in those areas will exceed the current available water supply and that conservation is one of the mechanisms by which future water demand will be met. (2)...
Native Plants
When a Homestead tree-removal permit calls for replacement plantings, at least half of the replacement trees must be species native to Miami-Dade County, with palms capped at 30 percent. If the trees that were removed were themselves native, every replacement tree must also be native, a standard Development Services applies while reviewing replacement plans.
Homestead Native Species Replacement Rule
Some RestrictionsHomestead City Code § 29-64(b)(5)
A minimum of fifty (50) percent of all replacement trees planted shall be native to Miami-Dade County, and no more than thirty (30) percent of the replacement trees shall be palms. However, when native trees are removed, all replacement trees shall be native species.
Composting
Homestead's illegal-dumping ordinance, Code § 23.5-5(a), carves out backyard composting: the same section that bans depositing or burying garbage anywhere but an approved container expressly states it does not prohibit private, backyard, nuisance-free composting for home gardening. No permit, bin size or material standard is written into the code.
Homestead Backyard Composting Exemption
Few RestrictionsHomestead, FL Code of Ordinances § 23.5-5(a)
No person shall deposit on or bury in, or cause to be deposited on or buried in any land, public square, street, alley, sidewalk, bridge, or other public passageway or any storm sewer, vacant or unoccupied lot, or any lake, canal, creek or watercourse, any noxious, filthy, malodorous or offensive liquid or solid materials, garbage, refuse, rubbish, trash or waste materials... Nothing in this pr...
Looking for Miami-Dade County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Homestead city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Miami-Dade County →