Landscaping Rules in Clay County, FL (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Clay County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Clay County requires an approved tree preservation plan before removal work begins on commercial, industrial, or public development sites, and no building permit issues without one under Code of Ordinances Sec. 18.5-24. On single-family lots, any tree with a trunk six inches or more in diameter still standing at the foundation inspection becomes a protected 'preserved tree,' and repeat violations can stop construction.
Clay County Protected Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsClay County Code of Ordinances § 18.5-24
(a)Nonsingle-family residential. ... No building permit shall be issued to any owner or builder of commercial or industrial development unless the application for permit is accompanied by a tree preservation plan employing sound tree preservation practices consistent with section 18.5-23 and approved by a site plan reviewer. ... (c)Residential. This article shall apply to single-family resident...
Water Restrictions
Clay County limits outdoor irrigation to two set days a week and never between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., splitting odd-numbered addresses, even-numbered addresses, and nonresidential accounts onto different days under Sec. 18.5-73. No more than three-quarters of an inch of water per zone per day is allowed, and the schedule tightens to one watering day a week once Eastern Standard Time begins.
Clay County Landscape Irrigation Schedule
Some RestrictionsClay County Code of Ordinances § 18.5-73
(a)When Daylight Savings Time is in effect, landscape irrigation shall occur only in accordance with the following irrigation schedule:(1)Residential landscape irrigation at odd-numbered addresses or no address may occur only on Wednesday and Saturday and shall not occur between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.; and(2)Residential landscape irrigation at even-numbered addresses may occur only on Thursda...
Native Plants
Clay County's landscaping code encourages, but does not require, using native plant material in the mandatory landscaping installed around nonresidential parking lots and paved areas in the unincorporated county. Every plant used must still meet 'Florida No. 1 or better' nursery grade, and species the planning, zoning and building administrator finds unsuited to the area cannot be used at all under Sec. 18.5-53.
Clay County Native Plant Landscaping Rule
Light RestrictionsClay County Code of Ordinances § 18.5-53(4)(a)-(b)
Quality: plant material used in conformance with the provisions of this article shall conform to the standards for Florida No. 1 or better as given in "Grades and Standards for Nursery Plants," State of Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services, Tallahassee, or equal thereto. Plant materials which are not adaptable to the area, as determined by the administrator of planning, zoni...
Artificial Turf
Clay County's landscaping code will not let artificial turf or synthetic plants count toward the mandatory plant coverage required around nonresidential parking lots and paved areas in the unincorporated county. Sec. 18.5-53(4)h and (4)i flatly bar synthetic lawns, trees, shrubs, ground covers, and vines from substituting for the living plant material the article requires.
Clay County Artificial Turf Landscaping Ban
Significant RestrictionsClay County Code of Ordinances § 18.5-53(4)(h)-(i)
Synthetic lawns: Synthetic or artificial turf shall not be used in lieu of plant requirements in this section. Synthetic plants: Synthetic or artificial material in the form of trees, shrubs, ground covers or vines shall not be used in lieu of plant requirements in this section.
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