Landscaping Rules in Orlando, FL (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Orlando, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
All tree pruning, trimming and removal work in Orlando must follow ANSI Z133.1 arborist safety standards and ANSI A300 tree-care standards. City-required compensatory pruning must be done by removing lateral branches and trimming, never by topping the crown.
Orlando Tree Pruning and Trimming Standards
Some RestrictionsOrlando City Code § 65.648; § 65.641(a)
Sec. 65.648. - Tree Pruning, Trimming, and Removal Practices. All tree pruning, trimming, and removal must meet International Society of Arboriculture ANSI Z133 1, Industry Safety Standards, and Tree Care Industry Association ANSI A300, Industry Task Standards. [§ 65.641(a)]: Compensatory pruning of the crown of the tree, to compensate for the stress placed upon the tree by the encroachment. Th...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Orlando requires a tree removal permit from the Parks Official before anyone destroys, injures, or removes a protected tree under City Code § 43.34. A protected tree is any woody plant capable of reaching 15 feet with at least a 6-inch trunk diameter measured 4.5 feet above grade; residential owners can skip the paperwork only with a certified arborist's written hazard finding.
Orlando Tree Removal Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsOrlando City Code § 43.34.B(1), D(1)
Tree. Any self-supporting woody plant of a species which normally grows, or is capable of growing, to an overall height of a minimum of fifteen (15) feet in the central portion of Florida, and having a trunk diameter of not less than six (6) inches as measured four and one-half (4.5) feet above actual grade. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to, or cause to, destroy, permanently injure or...
Weed Ordinances
Orlando bans letting weeds, undergrowth, or plant life accumulate excessively or grow untended on a lot when it endangers public health or breeds pests, under Section 14.22. The City can clean it and bill the owner after 15 days' notice.
Orlando Overgrown Weeds & Grass Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsOrlando City Code § 14.22
The existence of excessive accumulation or untended growth of weeds, undergrowth or other dead or living plant life; or stagnant water, rubbish, garbage, refuse, debris, trash... upon any lot, tract or parcel of land within this City be it uncovered or under open shelter, to the extent and in the manner that such lot, tract or parcel of land is or may reasonably become infested or inhabited by ...
Water Restrictions
Orlando's landscape code does not set its own watering calendar: it directs that irrigation days, times, volumes and run times follow whatever the St. Johns River Water Management District requires, and any variance must come from SJRWMD, not the city.
Orlando Irrigation Watering Restrictions
Some RestrictionsOrlando City Code § 60.232(h)
Watering Restrictions. Watering restrictions and schedules for times, days, volumes, and run times shall be as specified by the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD). Variances from SJRWMD watering restrictions, if needed for the optimum functioning of water-conserving sensors and controls, such as soil-moisture sensors and weather-based evapotranspiration (ET) controllers, must be...
Native Plants
Florida actively protects homeowners right to install native and drought-tolerant landscaping. FS 720.3075 prohibits HOAs from banning Florida-friendly landscaping. Florida SB 544 (2023) further strengthened these protections by clarifying that HOAs cannot prohibit replacement of turf grass with low-water alternatives. Orlando encourages native plants through SJRWMD and Orange County Extension programs and incorporates them in city landscaping standards.
Landscaping: Native Plants
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 720.3075(4)
The Legislature finds that the use of Florida-friendly landscaping and other water use and pollution prevention measures to conserve or protect the state's water resources serves a compelling public interest and that the participation of homeowners' associations and local governments is essential to the state's efforts in water conservation and water quality protection and restoration. Homeowne...
Artificial Turf
Orlando allows artificial turf with a Permitting Division permit, but bans it in rights-of-way, within 50 feet of water bodies, in drainage features, and under tree drip lines, and counts it as impervious surface against a lot's impervious-surface ratio.
Orlando Artificial Turf Installation Rules
Some RestrictionsOrlando City Code § 60.224(a)-(b)
The use of artificial turf is permitted subject to obtaining a permit from the Permitting Division and compliance with the provisions of this Section...Installation of artificial turf within public and private rights-of-way is prohibited. Artificial turf may not be installed within 50 feet of any artificial or natural water body...The installation of artificial turf shall be calculated as an im...
Composting
Orlando's residential landscaping code names composting bins outright: they're an accessory item that must stay out of front and street side yards, just like sheds, coops and storage. No front-yard compost piles or bins are allowed on one- and two-family lots.
Orlando Composting Bin Placement Rules
Light RestrictionsCity of Orlando Code § 60.223(i)
All accessory structures and other items (including, but not limited to swimming pools, decks, hydroponic gardens, above ground aquaculture, coops, sheds, play equipment, storage and composting bins) shall not be placed in the front and street side yards and must conform with any other requirement of the Land Development Code.
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Orlando city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Orange County →