Landscaping Rules in Manatee County, FL (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Manatee County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Manatee County requires every tree and shrub on a property to stay clear of pedestrian and vehicle traffic, and Sec. 2-9-105(h) sets a hard number for the sidewalk case: eight feet of vertical clearance. The rule sits inside the county's general property maintenance article, so it applies to residential and nonresidential lots alike across the unincorporated area.
Tree Trimming Clearance Rules in Manatee County
Some RestrictionsManatee County Code Sec. 2-9-105(h)
(h)All trees and shrubs shall be maintained such as not to impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Trees shall be pruned to provide a minimum of eight (8) feet vertical clearance over sidewalks(i)All construction sites shall be maintained free of any nuisances. All building materials and loose objects shall be secured in the event of a hurricane, tropical storm or other natural disaster.(j)All ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
A Tree Removal Permit from the Planning Department Director is required to remove, relocate, or destroy protected trees: common areas, required landscape/street trees, commercial and conservation areas. Private back/side-yard trees are exempt. Approved removals require one-to-one replacement.
Tree Removal Permits. Manatee County LDC
Some RestrictionsManatee County LDC § 714.2.1
No person may remove, relocate, or otherwise destroy any tree or cause, allow, authorize, or assist in the removal, relocation or destruction of same without first obtaining a tree removal permit from the Planning Department Director.
Weed Ordinances
In unincorporated Manatee County, lawn, grass, vegetation or weeds cannot exceed sixteen inches in height on any lot under the county's property maintenance code. Overgrowth is a listed nuisance condition, and code enforcement officers cite owners through the special magistrate process, while a separate Lot Clearing Procedures Act lets the county mow a neglected lot itself and lien the cost to the land.
Manatee County Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsManatee County Code Sec. 2-9-103(a)(40) & Sec. 2-9-105(c)
Overgrowth/overgrown means lawn, grass, vegetation or weeds exceeding sixteen (16) inches in height. ... All property and premises shall be maintained in a clean, safe, secure, and sanitary condition and shall not be left in neglect. Undergrowth, rubbish, debris, bush or brush and unsanitary matters including, but not limited to, any accumulation of debris, decayed vegetable matter, filth, rubb...
Water Restrictions
Manatee County locally enforces Southwest Florida Water Management District water shortage orders, including the current Modified Phase III restrictions limiting irrigation to one watering day per week. Violations are misdemeanors under general law, and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office is the enforcing agency for unincorporated areas.
Manatee County Water Shortage Enforcement Rules
Significant RestrictionsManatee County Code §§ 2-31-71, 2-31-74, 2-31-75, 2-31-77
It is the purpose and intent of the board to establish a mechanism whereby the water shortage order and water shortage emergency orders of the Southwest Florida Water Management District are locally enforced... This division shall not apply to persons using treated effluent or saltwater... The declaration of a water shortage or water shortage emergency within all or any part of the unincorporat...
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