Landscaping Rules in Hernando County, FL (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Hernando County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Pruning or trimming a tree on your own Hernando County home draws no county permit. Florida Statute 163.045 goes further, barring any local government from requiring a permit, fee, or mitigation to prune, trim, or remove a residential tree once a certified arborist documents an unacceptable risk.
Hernando County Tree Trimming Rules
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. §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 a residential property if the property owner possesses documentation from an arborist certified by the ISA or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree poses an unacceptable risk to persons or property.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a tree on your Hernando County home is protected by Florida Statute 163.045: no local government may require a permit, fee, or mitigation to remove a residential tree once an ISA-certified arborist or licensed landscape architect documents that it poses an unacceptable risk.
Hernando County Tree Removal Regulations
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. §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 a residential property if the property owner possesses documentation from an arborist certified by the ISA or a Florida licensed landscape architect that the tree poses an unacceptable risk to persons or property.
Weed Ordinances
Hernando County code treats grass or weeds over 18 inches within 100 feet of improved property as a nuisance. Farm-zoned and conservation land is exempt, and Florida Statute 373.185 still shields a tended Florida-Friendly yard from a forced return to turf.
Hernando County Grass & Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. §373.185(3)(c)
A local government ordinance may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land.
Water Restrictions
Hernando County sits in the Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud) and enforces a strict one-day-per-week irrigation schedule year-round, assigned by address. Florida Statute 373.62 requires a working rain sensor on every automatic sprinkler.
Hernando County Watering Days & Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsFla. Stat. §373.62(1)
Any person who purchases and installs an automatic landscape irrigation system must properly install, maintain, and operate technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the system during periods of sufficient moisture.
Native Plants
No Hernando County ordinance can force a turf lawn. Florida Statute 373.185 bars any local ordinance or deed restriction from prohibiting Florida-Friendly Landscaping, so residents may replace grass with native, drought-tolerant, and pollinator plantings.
Hernando County Native Plant & Xeriscape Rules
Few RestrictionsFla. Stat. §373.185(3)(b)
A deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land.
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf on a Hernando County home is governed by local zoning and stormwater rules, not a state ban. Florida-Friendly protections under Statute 373.185 cover living drought-tolerant plantings, not synthetic turf, so county and HOA coverage rules still apply.
Hernando County Artificial Turf Regulations
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. §373.185(3)(c)
A local government ordinance may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land.
All Hernando County ordinances
See every category we cover for Hernando County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Hernando County Ordinance Hub →