Landscaping Rules in Miami, FL (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Miami, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Trimming, pruning, or removing any tree on a Miami street, sidewalk, median, or right-of-way requires a permit from the director of public works before you touch it.
Miami Permit to Trim Street Trees
Some RestrictionsMiami Code of Ordinances § 17-72
It shall be unlawful for any person to trim or prune any tree, shrub, or plant or to remove any tree, shrub, or plant from any dedicated street, alley, highway, public right-of-way, or easement, public land lying between property lines on either side of a public street, highway, alley, public parking strip, public street, sidewalk or divider, public median strip or planting strip or other land ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Miami requires a tree permit before removing, relocating, or heavily pruning any tree 12 feet or taller with a 2-inch DBH trunk (16 feet and 6-inch DBH for palms), enforced by the Department of Planning and Zoning under City Code Chapter 17.
Miami Tree Removal Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsMiami, FL Code of Ordinances § 17-4(a)(1)
(1)No person, agent or representative thereof, directly or indirectly, shall engage in tree activity on any property described in section 17-3 of this article without first obtaining a tree permit and unless exempted by section 17-11 of this article.
Weed Ordinances
City code bars grass, weeds, or bushes over 12 inches on any lot in Miami; violators face code enforcement notice, city-ordered clearing, and a lien with a $150 administrative charge plus costs.
Miami Caps Weeds and Grass at 12 Inches
Some RestrictionsMiami Code of Ordinances § 22-117(a)
It shall be the duty of all owners of lots, parcels and tracts of land within the city to keep such property in a safe clean and presentable condition, and to remove therefrom all garbage, surplus grass, saplings, weeds and other growths, and all trash, and to fill in all excavations and depressions thereon, and to limit the growth of grass, weeds, or bushes to no more than 12 inches in height.
Water Restrictions
Miami limits landscape irrigation to two fixed days a week by address parity and bans watering between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. year-round under City Code § 22.5-75.
Miami Lawn Watering Days and Hours
Some RestrictionsMiami Code of Ordinances § 22.5-75(b)(1)
(1)Irrigation of existing landscaping is allowed two days a week, on the following schedule:a.Landscape irrigation of existing landscaping shall be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.b.Residents and businesses with an odd-numbered properties. Landscape irrigation is permitted on Wednesdays and Saturdays only.c.Residents and businesses with even-numbered properties. Landscap...
Rainwater Harvesting
Florida law permits residential rainwater harvesting, and Miami encourages rain barrel use for landscape irrigation to reduce stormwater runoff. No city permit is required for standard residential rain barrel systems used for non-potable outdoor purposes.
Miami Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 373.228 — Landscape irrigation design
F.S. 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...
Artificial Turf
Miami permits artificial turf installation on residential and commercial properties without a specific city permit for the turf itself. Florida law protects homeowners' right to use drought-tolerant landscaping alternatives including synthetic turf in most residential settings.
Miami Artificial Turf Installation Rules
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 373.185 — Local Florida-friendly landscaping ordinances
F.S. 373.185 373.185 Local Florida-friendly landscaping ordinances. — (1) As used in this section, the term: (a) "Local government" means any county or municipality of the state. (b) "Florida-friendly landscaping" means quality landscapes that conserve water, protect the environment, are adaptable to local conditions, and are drought tolerant. The principles of such landscaping include planting...
Looking for Miami-Dade County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Miami city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Miami-Dade County →