Landscaping Rules in Port St. Lucie, FL (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Port St. Lucie, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Port St. Lucie requires all grass on improved property (a lot with a structure built on it) to be mowed below 12 inches. High grass and weeds are among the most common residential code violations in the city.
Port St. Lucie Grass Height Limit (Sec. 41.08(B))
Some RestrictionsPort St. Lucie Code of Ordinances Sec. 41.08(B) (High grass & weeds) and Sec. 41.08(H)(1) (Swale Maintenance)
High grass & weeds- Section 41.08(B): All grass must be mowed below 12 inches on all improved property (with a structure built upon it). ... Swale Maintenance- Section 41.08(H)(1): Each homeowner is responsible for regularly mowing and removing debris, litter, and obstructions from the swale area and liner.
Tree Trimming
Port St. Lucie's Tree Protection and Preservation Ordinance protects mature trees with a diameter at breast height (D.B.H.) of 12 inches or greater and native palms with at least 10 feet of clear trunk on public or private property. A Tree Removal Permit from Planning and Zoning is required before removing a protected tree, though platted single-family lots are exempt.
Port St. Lucie Tree Protection & Removal (Chapter 154)
Some RestrictionsCity of Port St. Lucie, Tree Protection & Preservation Ordinance (adopted Aug. 8, 2011); Code of Ordinances Chapter 154, Landscape and Land Clearing Code
On August 8, 2011, the City of Port St. Lucie City Council adopted the Tree Protection and Preservation Ordinance. This ordinance aims to safeguard mature trees with a diameter at breast height (D.B.H.) of 12 inches or greater and native palm trees with a clear trunk of at least 10 feet, whether on public or private property. Single-family lots that have been platted are exempt from these tree ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a protected tree (12-inch D.B.H. or a native palm with a 10-foot clear trunk) in Port St. Lucie requires a Tree Removal Permit from Planning and Zoning, and mitigation must replace one inch of D.B.H. for each inch removed. Removing one without a permit triggers 3-to-1 replacement and double fees.
Port St. Lucie Tree Removal Permit & Mitigation
Some RestrictionsCity of Port St. Lucie, Tree Protection & Preservation Ordinance; Code of Ordinances Chapter 154, Landscape and Land Clearing Code (mitigation)
Mitigation is required for the removal of a protected tree at a ratio of one inch D.B.H. for each inch of D.B.H. removed. Trees preserved or relocated on-site, which exceed the minimum landscape requirements count as equivalent replacement D.B.H. Trees planted on-site which exceed the minimum landscape requirements shall count as one-half credit towards the mitigation requirements. Each palm tr...
Weed Ordinances
Port St. Lucie addresses weeds together with high grass: all grass and weeds on improved property must be kept mowed below 12 inches under Section 41.08(B). Owners must also keep the swale and liner clear of debris and obstructions.
Port St. Lucie Weeds & Overgrowth (Sec. 41.08(B))
Some RestrictionsPort St. Lucie Code of Ordinances Sec. 41.08(B) - High grass & weeds
High grass & weeds- Section 41.08(B): All grass must be mowed below 12 inches on all improved property (with a structure built upon it).
Water Restrictions
Port St. Lucie does not set its own lawn-watering calendar; landscape irrigation is governed by the South Florida Water Management District's mandatory year-round rule (Chapter 40E-24, Florida Administrative Code). Because the city is in St. Lucie County, properties may irrigate three days a week and never between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Port St. Lucie Lawn Watering Limits (SFWMD 40E-24)
Some RestrictionsFla. Admin. Code R. 40E-24.201(5)(a), (7) - Year-Round Landscape Irrigation Conservation Measures (SFWMD)
Landscape irrigation shall be prohibited daily between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ... In Broward, Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie counties: odd addresses ... shall have the opportunity to accomplish necessary landscape irrigation only on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday[;] even addresses ... shall have the opportunity to accomplish ne...
Native Plants
Port St. Lucie encourages Florida-Friendly Landscaping and enforces a fertilizer ordinance to protect the St. Lucie River and Estuary. No nitrogen or phosphorus fertilizer may be applied June 1 to September 30, and none within 10 feet of any water body.
Port St. Lucie Florida-Friendly & Fertilizer Rule
Some RestrictionsCity of Port St. Lucie Fertilizer Ordinance (adopted Mar. 24, 2014), Public Works - Fertilizer Usage
Restricted Season: No fertilizer containing nitrogen and/or phosphorus (phosphate) shall be applied to turf or landscape plants from June 1 to September 30 each year. ... Nitrogen Application: During the non-restricted season October 1 to May 31, nitrogen fertilizer must contain at least 50% slow release nitrogen. ... Phosphorus Application: No fertilizer containing phosphorus (phosphate) shall...
Looking for St. Lucie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Port St. Lucie city rules.
Landscaping Rules in St. Lucie County →