Landscaping Rules in Miami, FL (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Miami, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
The City of Miami requires residential properties to maintain lawns and vegetation. Overgrown grass and weeds are code violations. The city's code enforcement section handles lawn maintenance complaints.
Miami Grass Height & Lawn Maintenance
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Tree trimming in the City of Miami does not require a permit if done per ANSI A-300 standards. Tree removal requires a city permit. The city has its own tree protection program managed by the Planning Department.
Miami Tree Trimming Regulations
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Miami requires permits for removing trees with a trunk diameter of 3 inches or more at breast height. Specimen trees with 18-inch or greater diameter receive heightened protection. Exemptions exist for single-family yard trees that are not specimen or heritage trees.
Miami Tree Removal Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
The City of Miami requires properties to be free of overgrown weeds and unmaintained vegetation. Code enforcement handles weed complaints. Invasive species including Brazilian pepper and melaleuca must be managed.
Miami Weed & Vegetation Maintenance
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
SFWMD year-round two-day-per-week irrigation limits apply in the City of Miami. Odd addresses water Wednesday and Saturday; even addresses Thursday and Sunday, before 10 AM or after 4 PM.
Miami Water Restrictions
Some RestrictionsSFWMD Landscape Watering Restrictions; Chapter 40E-24, Florida Administrative Code
Year-round Landscape Water Restrictions are in effect for the entire South Florida Water Management District. The South Florida Water Management District's year-round landscape watering restrictions (Chapter 40E-24, Florida Administrative Code) are designed to ensure the efficient use of water landscape (includes lawns) irrigation. The restrictions allow enough water to maintain healthy landsca...
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...
Native Plants
Miami encourages the use of Florida-friendly native plants in residential and commercial landscaping. The city's landscape code promotes drought-tolerant and salt-tolerant species adapted to South Florida's subtropical climate and coastal conditions.
Miami Native Plant and Landscaping Standards
Some RestrictionsArtificial 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...
Composting
Miami permits residential composting on private property for personal garden use. Compost bins must be maintained to avoid odor, pest attraction, and nuisance conditions. Commercial composting operations require separate permits.
Miami Residential Composting Rules
Few RestrictionsLooking 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 →