9 rules for unincorporated Collier County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated Collier County, weeds, grass or similar overgrowth over 18 inches tall on a mowable lot is a code violation. On Estates-zoned land the 18-inch limit applies within 30 feet of a residential structure.
Collier County Code Sec. 54-185
The accumulation of weeds, grass or similar overgrowth in excess of eighteen (18) inches in height on a mowable lot is a violation.
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.
FS 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.
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.
Collier 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.
Collier County's weed and litter ordinance (Section 54-185) treats accumulation of weeds, grass or similar overgrowth over 18 inches as a violation. The county also requires removal of prohibited Category I invasive exotic plants.
Collier County Code Sec. 54-185
On an Estates zoned property it is a violation when the accumulation of weeds, grass or other similar overgrowth is in excess of eighteen (18) inches in height and located within 30 feet of a residential structure.
Collier County follows South Florida Water Management District year-round rules. Odd-numbered addresses water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday; even addresses Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. No landscape irrigation is allowed between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
SFWMD 40E-24; Collier County Code Sec. 54-368
Odd-Numbered Addresses may irrigate only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Saturdays. Even-Numbered Addresses or other locations without an address, may irrigate only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and/or Sundays. The rule prohibits landscape irrigation between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Rainwater harvesting is encouraged in Collier County. Plants watered by rain barrels, cisterns, low-volume micro-irrigation or hand-held hose can be watered any day and time, exempt from the odd/even watering-day restrictions.
SFWMD 40E-24 / Collier County Ord. 2015-27
Any plant material may be watered using low volume irrigation, micro-irrigation, rain barrels, cisterns, or other similar rain harvesting devices without regard to the watering days and times allowed.
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.
Collier County LDC Sec. 4.06.05
Use of native grounds covers is encouraged.
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.
Collier 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.
Collier County has no ordinance that bans or permits home composting; backyard composting is allowed and encouraged. Compost and yard debris must not become a litter, odor or pest nuisance under the county's Chapter 54 environment code.
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