Landscaping Rules in Highlands County, FL (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Highlands County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Trees growing in county road rights-of-way in unincorporated Highlands County cannot be cut or damaged except for utility maintenance, and even then only through a county permit and proper arborist technique. Highlands County Code § 12.14.314 adopts the state tree-protection statute for county roads and folds trimming into the county's utility maintenance permit system.
Tree Trimming in County Rights-of-Way, Highlands
Some RestrictionsHighlands County Code § 12.14.314
F.S. § 337.405, which regulates the removal or damage to trees in state, right-of-way, is hereby adopted to regulate such removal or damage to trees in county rights-of-way. The trimming of trees where required to ensure and maintain the safe operation of utility facilities is authorized by a county utility maintenance permit, providing such trimming is performed in accordance with recognized a...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Clearing trees and vegetation on development sites in unincorporated Highlands County requires a county land clearing permit whenever natural, archaeological or historical resources are known to exist on the property. Highlands County Code § 12.12.620 ties that permit to the county's environmental clearance process and imposes real penalties, including a three-year building freeze, for clearing land illegally.
Land Clearing and Tree Removal Permits, Highlands County
Significant RestrictionsHighlands County Code § 12.12.620(C), (F)
C.Land clearing permits. ... Land clearing permits are required for approval of all building permits. Except as provided in section 12.12.620.E. of this division and the land clearing definition in sections 12.12.620.A. and B. above, no land clearing shall be allowed to commence on a site where natural, archaeological, or historical resources are known to exist without first obtaining a county ...
Weed Ordinances
On improved property in unincorporated Highlands County, weeds and other vegetation, aside from trees, ornamental bushes, flowers or other ornamental plants, cannot exceed 18 inches in height. Code § 5.6-2(1) declares taller growth a nuisance, subject to the same notice, abatement and lien process used for other code violations.
Weed Height Limit on Improved Lots in Highlands County
Some RestrictionsHighlands County Code § 5.6-2(1)
The maintaining, using, placing, depositing, leaving or permitting to be or remain on any public or private property of any of the following items, conditions or actions is hereby declared to be and constitute a nuisance, provided that this enumeration shall not be construed as a designation of all nuisances: ... (1)Any weeds, such as broom grass, jimson, burdock, ragweed, sandspur or other sim...
Water Restrictions
Highlands County Code Section 7-20 adopts the Southwest Florida and South Florida Water Management Districts' rules by reference, so lawn and landscape irrigation in the unincorporated county follows whichever district governs that address. During a declared water shortage the district's own watering-day schedule controls; year-round, Florida Administrative Code Chapter 40D-22 sets baseline conservation measures for irrigation and car washing.
Highlands County Year-Round Irrigation Restrictions
Some RestrictionsHighlands County Code § 7-20(a)(2), (b)(2)
During such times as either the Southwest Florida Water Management District or the South Florida Water Management District declares a water shortage or water shortage emergency pursuant to Florida Administrative Code, Chapter 40C-21 or 40E-21, respectively, as those chapters may be amended or replaced, the specific restrictions imposed by the applicable water management district shall apply to ...
Native Plants
Highlands County Code § 12.11.103 directs new development landscaping toward conserving native plants and trees, but exempts single-family, duplex and manufactured homes on individual lots from the article's landscape-plan requirements. Even exempt properties, though, remain barred under § 12.11.103.3 from planting species on the state's invasive plant list.
Highlands County Native Plant Landscaping Rule
Light RestrictionsHighlands County Code §§ 12.11.103, 12.11.103.3
Landscaping shall include the conservation of native plants and trees; the selection and planting of trees to shade vehicular use areas, sidewalks and other paved surfaces; and the design, selection of trees and shrubbery, and the planting of landscape materials to establish buffer yards.Single-family, duplex, manufactured home dwellings on individual lots, and agriculture buildings where no pa...
Composting
Unincorporated Highlands County residents who compost or recycle all their own solid waste on-site can apply under section 8.5-30 for an exemption from mandatory franchise trash collection and the related assessment. Applications are due by June 1 for the following fiscal year.
Highlands County On-Site Composting Exemption
Light RestrictionsHighlands County Code § 8.5-30
(a)Generally. ... Any commercial property or residential property may be exempted from the mandatory collection provisions of this chapter for municipal solid waste generated on such property during the applicable calendar or fiscal year, provided that the person seeking the exemption transports such municipal solid waste to the county landfill or disposes of such municipal solid waste by compo...
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