Landscaping Rules in West Palm Beach, FL (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for West Palm Beach, Florida, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
West Palm Beach City Code §34 (Property Maintenance) caps grass and weeds at 12 inches on improved residential lots and 18 inches on vacant parcels. Code Compliance issues notice-and-cure orders before mowing liens.
Landscaping: Grass Height
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Routine pruning of healthy trees on private property in West Palm Beach does not require a permit, but work must follow ANSI A300 standards and avoid hat-racking or topping, which are treated as removal violations.
Landscaping: Tree Trimming
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
West Palm Beach requires a tree removal permit for any tree 4-inch DBH or greater under City Code §94 Article XIII. FL §163.045 only exempts removal where a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect documents danger to persons or property.
Landscaping: Tree Removal
Heavy RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 163.045
(1) For purposes of this section, the term: (a) "Documentation" means an onsite assessment performed in accordance with the tree risk assessment procedures outlined in Best Management Practices - Tree Risk Assessment, Second Edition (2017) by an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) or a Florida licensed landscape architect and signed by the certified arborist o...
Weed Ordinances
Noxious weeds, invasive exotics, and uncontrolled vegetation must be removed by West Palm Beach property owners under City Code §34. Brazilian pepper, melaleuca, and Australian pine are listed for mandatory removal during any redevelopment.
Landscaping: Weed Ordinances
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
West Palm Beach is in the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) year-round landscape irrigation rule: 2 days per week, before 10 AM or after 4 PM. Odd addresses Wednesday and Saturday; even addresses Thursday and Sunday.
Landscaping: Water Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is encouraged in West Palm Beach. Rain barrels under 100 gallons are permit-exempt and the city periodically distributes subsidized barrels through the Public Utilities conservation program.
Landscaping: Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
FL §373.185 protects the right of West Palm Beach homeowners to install Florida-Friendly Landscaping. HOAs and the city cannot prohibit drought-tolerant native plants used per UF/IFAS guidance.
Landscaping: Native Plants
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Artificial turf is permitted in West Palm Beach rear and side yards but discouraged in front yards under City Code §94 landscape standards, which require living groundcover for a minimum percentage of the front yard pervious area.
Landscaping: Artificial Turf
Some RestrictionsLooking for Palm Beach County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement West Palm Beach city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Palm Beach County →