Landscaping Rules in Ocala, FL (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Ocala, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Ocala Code of Ordinances Sec. 58-31 caps shrubbery at 30 inches and requires tree branches to be trimmed above ten feet on private property near intersections. The rule protects driver sight lines: nothing may block a driver's view of a through street for 250 feet in either direction from a stop position, though existing trees with a four-inch or greater trunk diameter and utility poles are exempt.
Ocala Tree and Shrub Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances § 58-31
(a)The owner or occupant of private real property shall not permit the growth of shrubbery above the height of 30 inches, nor shall tree branches be permitted below the height of ten feet measured from the base of the shrub or tree, and no fence, wall, hedge or other structure shall be erected or placed, which will obstruct, from a legal stop position at a traffic intersection on a stop street ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Ocala, cutting, moving or destroying any tree four inches or more in diameter at breast height is unlawful without a tree removal permit under Sec. 118-71(a). The Building, Zoning and Licensing Department issues the permit, and Sec. 118-71(b) lists five narrow exceptions, including small owner-occupied residential lots and licensed nurseries.
Ocala Tree Removal Permit Required
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances §§ 118-32, 118-71(a)-(b)(1)
Regulated tree. All existing trees four inches DBH or larger are protected and regulated under the terms of this article. ... (a)Subject to the exceptions of subsection (b) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to cut down, move, transplant, remove or destroy through damaging any tree as defined in this article, or to authorize such acts to be done, without obtaining a tree remov...
Weed Ordinances
Ocala caps weeds and undergrowth at 12 inches on any property within 300 feet of an occupied building, under Code of Ordinances Sec. 34-95(a)(1). The rule is a nuisance enforced by the health officer and, under Ordinance No. 5873, citable directly by a code enforcement officer for a $100 first fine, $250 second fine and $450 third fine within 12 months.
Ocala's 12-Inch Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances § 34-95(a)(1)
(a)It shall be unlawful, and a nuisance, for any owner or occupant of property located within the city to allow:(1)Weeds and undergrowth thereon to reach a height of over 12 inches, if that property is located within 300 feet of an occupied building. The distance is measured from the property line of the violation parcel to the occupied building.
Water Restrictions
Ocala restricts landscape irrigation to fixed watering days by address type under City Code § 118-138. During Daylight Saving Time, homes with odd-numbered addresses may irrigate Wednesday and Saturday, even-numbered addresses Thursday and Sunday, and non-residential properties Tuesday and Friday, never between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., capped at three-fourths inch of water per irrigation zone per watering day.
Ocala Landscape Irrigation Watering-Day Restrictions
Some RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances § 118-138
(1)When Daylight Savings Time is in effect, landscape irrigation shall occur only in accordance with the following irrigation schedule and limitations:a.Residential landscape irrigation at odd-numbered addresses, or for properties with no address, may occur only on Wednesday and Saturday, and shall not occur between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.b.Residential landscape irrigation at even-numbered add...
Artificial Turf
For property already registered as abandoned under Ocala's foreclosure-maintenance rules, Code of Ordinances Sec. 34-143(d)(1) counts artificial turf or sod designed for residential, commercial or industrial installation as acceptable landscaping. It sits alongside grass, ground covers and decorative rock, but the code separately excludes plain gravel, broken concrete and weeds from qualifying as landscaping.
Artificial Turf Allowed on Vacant Property in Ocala
Few RestrictionsOcala Code of Ordinances § 34-143(d)(1)
(d)Yards shall be landscaped and maintained pursuant to the standards set forth in this Code.(1)Landscaping shall include, without limitation, the following existing landscape features: grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings, decorative rock or bark or artificial turf/sod designed specifically for residential, commercial or industrial installation, as applicable. "Lan...
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