Landscaping Rules in Collier County, FL (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Collier County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Florida law preempts Collier County here. On your own single-family residential property you may prune, trim or remove a tree with no county permit, fee or mitigation if a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect documents the tree is a danger.
You May Trim a Dangerous Tree Without a County Permit
Some RestrictionsFS 163.045(2)
A local government may not require a notice, application, approval, permit, fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming, or removal of a tree on residential property if the property owner obtains documentation from an arborist certified by the International Society of Arboriculture or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree presents a danger to persons or property.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Outside the FS 163.045 danger-tree exemption, Collier County's Land Development Code makes it unlawful to remove or destroy vegetation without a Vegetation Removal Permit. Small single-family lots (1 acre or less) are largely exempt except for specimen trees.
Removing Native Vegetation Requires a County Permit
Some RestrictionsCollier County LDC Sec. 3.05.01(B)
It shall be unlawful to remove or destroy vegetation, which includes placing of additional fill, without first obtaining a Vegetation Removal or Vegetation Removal and Fill Permit.
Weed Ordinances
In unincorporated Collier County, weeds, grass or similar unprotected overgrowth over 18 inches high on a mowable lot is prohibited and declared a public nuisance. Owners of developed and undeveloped lots must mow. 'Abate' means mowing to under six inches.
Grass and Weed Height Limit in Collier County
Some RestrictionsCollier County Code Sec. 54-185(a)
The accumulation of weeds, grass or other similar nonprotected overgrowth in excess of eighteen (18) inches in height is hereby prohibited and declared to be a public nuisance when located upon any Mowable Lot.
Water Restrictions
Collier County adopts the South Florida Water Management District's year-round schedule at Sec. 54-368: landscape irrigation is barred every day between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and outside that window most properties may only water on two or three assigned days a week based on whether the address is odd or even. Low-volume and hand watering are exempt from the day limits.
Landscape Irrigation Days in Collier County
Some RestrictionsCollier County Code Sec. 54-368(1)(c), (5)
(1)Landscape irrigation shall be prohibited daily between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., except as otherwise provided herein. ... (5)Irrigation of existing landscaping shall comply with the following provisions:(a)Even addresses, installations with irrigation systems that irrigate both even and odd addresses within the same zones, such as multi-family units and homeowners' associations,...
Rainwater Harvesting
Collier County exempts rain barrels, cisterns and similar rain-harvesting devices from its landscape irrigation day-of-week and time-of-day restrictions entirely under Sec. 54-368(4). Along with low-volume and micro-irrigation and hand watering, a rain barrel can be used on any day of the week, at any hour, without violating the county's adopted South Florida Water Management District schedule.
Rain Barrel and Cistern Rules in Collier County
Few RestrictionsCollier County Code Sec. 54-368(4)
(4)Any plant material may be watered using low volume irrigation, micro-irrigation, low-volume hand watering methods, and rain barrels, cisterns, or other similar rain-harvesting devices without regard to the watering days or times allowed pursuant to this section.
Native Plants
Collier County's Land Development Code favors native plants: required landscaping on sites south and west of US-41 must be 100% native species, native ground covers are encouraged countywide, and native habitat must be retained in new development.
Native Landscaping Required in Coastal Collier
Some RestrictionsCollier County LDC Sec. 4.06.05
Use of native grounds covers is encouraged.
Artificial Turf
Collier County's landscaping code (LDC 4.06.05) limits artificial ground cover. Stone, gravel or any artificial ground cover may not be used for more than 20% of the landscaped area; the rest must be living grass, sod or native ground cover.
Artificial Turf and Gravel Capped at 20% of Landscape
Some RestrictionsCollier County LDC Sec. 4.06.05
Stone, gravel, or any artificial ground cover shall not be utilized for more than 20% of the landscaped area.
Composting
Collier County's Litter, Weed and Exotics Control Ordinance carves composting out entirely: Sec. 54-178 lets any residential or Estates-zoned property keep a compost pile without it counting as litter, provided the pile sits in the rear yard at least 10 feet from every property line, uses only material generated on-site, and doesn't create a foul odor, vermin or nuisance.
Backyard Composting Rules in Collier County
Light RestrictionsCollier County Code Sec. 54-178
Compost pile. A pile, mound of heap (whether on the ground or in a container or structure) consisting solely of on-site organic materials that are intentionally collected to create a compost material for gardening purposes. Composting is permitted on any residential or estates property and is specifically excluded from this ordinance provided that: (1) the compost site is located in the rear ya...
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