9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Miami-Dade County requires residential properties to maintain lawns and vegetation. Chapter 19 property maintenance standards prohibit overgrown vegetation and unmaintained yards. Specific grass height limits are enforced through neighborhood compliance.
Tree trimming in Miami-Dade County does not require a permit if done per ANSI A-300 standards. However, excessive pruning such as hat-racking, topping, or lion-tailing that effectively destroys a tree violates Section 24-49.
Miami-Dade County Code § 24-49 (Tree Trimming)
A tree removal/relocation permit is not required for the proper pruning or trimming of trees, provided the pruning is done according to the most recent American National Standards (ANSI) A-300 Standard Practices for Tree Care Operations. However, excessive or improper pruning of the tree's canopy (i.e. hat-racking, topping, lion-tailing, etc.) and other activities (i.e. trunk girdling, excessiv...
Miami-Dade Code Section 24-49 requires a county tree removal or relocation permit for any non-exempt tree with a trunk 4 inches DBH or larger; replacement plantings or a Tree Trust Fund contribution under Sec. 24-49.4 are required.
Miami-Dade County prohibits accumulation of overgrown vegetation, weeds, and unmaintained landscaping on residential and commercial properties under Chapter 19. Invasive species like Brazilian pepper, melaleuca, and air potato must be managed.
South Florida Water Management District imposes year-round two-day-per-week irrigation limits in Miami-Dade County. Odd-numbered addresses water Wednesday and Saturday; even-numbered addresses water Thursday and Sunday, before 10 AM or after 4 PM.
Florida law encourages rainwater harvesting and Miami-Dade County does not prohibit residential rain barrel use. Florida Statute 373.62 prevents local governments from banning rainwater harvesting systems. No permit is needed for standard rain barrels on residential property.
Miami-Dade County requires native and drought-tolerant landscaping in new development through Chapter 18A of the County Code. The county's landscape ordinance mandates that a percentage of required plantings be Florida-friendly species adapted to South Florida's tropical climate.
Miami-Dade County permits artificial turf installation on residential properties. No specific county ordinance prohibits synthetic grass. Florida Statute 163.04 limits HOA authority to ban drought-tolerant landscaping alternatives, which courts have applied to artificial turf in some cases.
Backyard composting is permitted in Miami-Dade County. Florida's SB 1382 encourages recycling and waste reduction. Composting must be managed to prevent odor, pest attraction, and mosquito breeding in South Florida's tropical climate.
8 cities in Miami-Dade County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
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