Native Plants: Cape Coral vs Fort Myers
How do native plants rules compare between Cape Coral, FL and Fort Myers, FL?
Fort Myers has fewer restrictions than Cape Coral.
Cape Coral, FL
Lee County
Lee County's development landscape standards require a large share of native Florida trees and shrubs from Appendix E, and Florida law (FS 373.185) bars HOAs from prohibiting water-conserving Florida-friendly landscaping. Native gardens are protected, not banned.
View full Cape Coral rules →Fort Myers, FL
Lee County
Florida Statute 373.185 establishes Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL) as a protected statewide policy. A local government ordinance or HOA covenant may not prohibit any property owner from implementing FFL on his or her land. Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and unincorporated Lee County all sit within SFWMD's program. The UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program publishes the official nine principles.
View full Fort Myers rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cape Coral | Fort Myers |
|---|---|---|
| Native trees required | At least 75% | - |
| Native shrubs required | At least 50% | - |
| Authority | LDC Ch. 10, Div. 6 | - |
| Protected list | LDC Appendix E | - |
| HOA protection | FS 373.185 | - |
| Authorizing Statute | - | FS 373.185 |
| HOA Preemption | - | FS 373.185(3) — bans unenforceable |
| Definition | - | Conserves water, drought-tolerant, locally adapted |
| Reference Program | - | UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping |
| Limit on HOA | - | Aesthetic review OK, outright ban not OK |
| Still Subject To | - | 12-inch height limit + noxious-weed control |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cape Coral FAQ
Does Lee County require native plants?
New development landscaping must use a majority of native Florida species (at least 75% of trees and 50% of shrubs) under LDC Chapter 10. Homeowners keeping existing yards are not forced to convert.
Can my HOA stop me from planting a Florida-friendly yard?
No. FS 373.185 bars deed restrictions and covenants from prohibiting Florida-friendly, water-conserving landscaping, though an HOA may set reasonable design and approval standards.
Fort Myers FAQ
Can my HOA force me to keep a St. Augustine grass lawn?
No. Under FS 373.185(3), HOA covenants may not prohibit a property owner from implementing Florida-Friendly Landscaping, which includes converting turf to drought-tolerant or native species. The HOA can still apply reasonable architectural-review guidelines for aesthetics, but it cannot ban the conversion outright.
Is there a list of approved Florida-Friendly plants?
Yes. The UF/IFAS Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program publishes the FFL Plant Guide and the nine FFL principles. Plants suited to USDA Zone 10a/10b (Fort Myers) are organized by sun, salt and moisture tolerance.
Compare other topics
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