Native Plants: Largo vs St. Petersburg
How do native plants rules compare between Largo, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Largo and St. Petersburg have similar restriction levels.
Largo, FL
Pinellas County
Largo cannot prohibit Florida-Friendly Landscaping that incorporates native plants and drought-tolerant species under Florida Statute 373.185, and the city's landscape standards in Chapter 10 of the CDC encourage native and Florida-Friendly designs.
View full Largo rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg encourages Florida-friendly landscaping under Section 16.40.060 and protects homeowners' right to native landscapes through Florida Statute 373.185.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Largo | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Code section | - | Sec. 16.40.060 |
| State preemption | - | FS 373.185 |
| Banned species | - | Brazilian Pepper, Carrotwood |
| Style | - | Florida-friendly |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Largo FAQ
Can my Largo HOA force me to keep a turf lawn?
No. Florida Statute 373.185 prohibits HOAs and local governments from preventing a property owner from installing Florida-Friendly Landscaping with native and drought-tolerant species.
Are there minimum landscape requirements in Largo?
Yes. CDC Chapter 10 sets minimum tree counts, buffers, and screening for development sites, but native and Florida-Friendly species can be used to meet those counts.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Can my HOA require turf grass in St. Petersburg?
No. Florida Statute 373.185 preempts HOA rules that prohibit Florida-friendly landscaping on residential parcels, including native plants and drought-tolerant alternatives to turf grass.
Which invasive plants are banned in St. Petersburg?
Section 16.40.060 prohibits planting Brazilian Pepper, Carrotwood, Australian Pine, and other listed Category I exotic species citywide, and they must be removed during permitted landscape work.
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