Landscaping Rules in Broward County, FL (2026)

7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Broward County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Broward County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Tree Trimming

Broward County bans hatracking, topping, flush cuts, and non-ANSI pruning cuts as "tree abuse" countywide, whether or not a tree removal permit is otherwise required, enforced by PWESD under Chapter 27's Tree Preservation and Abuse Ordinance.

Broward County Tree Pruning Standards

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 27-404

Tree abuse means: (a)Hatracking a tree; or(b)Destroying the natural habit of tree growth; or(c)Pruning which leaves stubs or results in a flush cut; or splitting of limb ends; or(d)Removing tree bark to the extent that if a line is drawn at any height around the circumference of the tree, over one-third of the length of the line falls on portions of the tree where bark no longer remains; or(...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Broward County's tree preservation ordinance bans removing or abusing any tree, or a historical tree, without PWESD approval, and applies countywide unless a municipality holds valid tree-certification from PWESD.

Broward County Tree Preservation Ordinance

Significant Restrictions

Broward County Code §§ 27-402, 27-405

This article applies to all persons within the geographic boundaries of Broward County and shall be enforceable on a county-wide basis unless otherwise provided herein. ... Unless otherwise authorized by this article, no person shall cause, suffer, permit or allow: (a) The removal of any Historical tree without first obtaining approval from the Board to conduct the removal. (b) The removal of a...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

Broward County caps grass and weeds at 6 inches in developed unincorporated areas, 18 inches in rural, estate, and agricultural districts, and requires owners to clear overgrown hedges and groundcover from their lots and swales.

Broward County Weed and Overgrowth Limits

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 39-133(d)

In developed areas, it shall be the responsibility of all owners of undeveloped parcels of land one (1) net acre or less and developed parcels of land to maintain such lands and contiguous swales free of overgrown hedges and groundcover. This provision shall not apply to land or parcels of land located in rural, estate and agricultural districts.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Water Restrictions

Broward County bans lawn watering from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day and limits irrigation to two set days a week based on whether your address is even or odd-numbered, year-round under Code § 36-55.

Broward County Landscape Irrigation Watering Days

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 36-55

Landscape irrigation shall be prohibited daily between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., except as provided herein.(2)Irrigation of existing landscaping shall comply with the following provisions:a.Even-numbered addresses, as defined in Section 36-51 of this article, and rights-of-way or other locations without an address, may accomplish necessary landscape irrigation only on Thursday and/...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Native Plants

Unincorporated Broward's landscaping code makes native plants the default, not an option. Section 39-83(a)(2) requires that fifty percent of all vegetation required to be planted, excluding turf, be species native to South Florida, and Section 39-85(c)(3)b pushes the bar to fifty percent for shrubs on single-family and duplex lots. Landscape plans filed with a permit must show which plants meet the quota.

Broward County 50% Native Plant Rule

Some Restrictions

Broward County Code § 39-83(a)(2)

Native plant species. Fifty percent (50%) of all vegetation, excluding turf, required to be planted by this article shall be vegetation native to South Florida, consistent with NatureScape landscape principles and Florida-Friendly Landscaping TM principles. Native and drought-tolerant landscaping shall be identified on the landscape plan in compliance with the zoning designation of the property...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Artificial Turf

Unincorporated Broward lets single-family homeowners on one acre or less install synthetic turf that meets state DEP standards, under the county's landscaping code.

Broward County Artificial Turf Allowance

Light Restrictions

Broward County Code § 39-76

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the installation of synthetic turf that complies with Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") standards adopted pursuant to Section 125.572, Florida Statutes, as amended, on single family residential properties that are one (1) acre or less in size. Hardscape: Areas such as patios, decks, driveways, ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Composting

Broward County exempts backyard composting from its solid waste management license as long as the pile doesn't create a nuisance or violate health and environmental rules.

Broward County Backyard Composting Rules

Light Restrictions

Broward County Code § 27-216(a)(2)a

Unless otherwise prohibited by the Code, the following activities or facilities are exempted from the licensing requirement provided that no nuisance or any condition is created that adversely affects the environment or public health and provided that the activity or facility does not violate any provisions of the Code, or federal, state, or local government regulations: a. Backyard composting;

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗