Landscaping Rules in Monroe County, FL (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Monroe County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), removing any tree, of any size, or heavily pruning one over six inches in trunk diameter requires a development permit. The code exempts a handful of invasive-species stems on residential lots and a state arborist exemption for hazard trees, but otherwise every cut goes through Planning.
Tree Removal Permit Rules, Monroe County
Significant RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-103
Except the removal of ten or fewer stems of invasive exotic plant species identified in Section 114-102(h), which are located on residential developed lots, and except for other exemptions provided herein, the removal of any tree regardless of size, or major pruning of any tree over six inches DBH, shall require a development permit. All such activity shall adhere to practices and principles se...
Weed Ordinances
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), grass and weeds counted as a code violation once they pass eight inches tall under Sec. 21-19, and Sec. 21-20 requires every commercial and residential lot, vacant or occupied, to be kept mowed. The only exceptions are subdivisions in public acquisition areas, publicly owned conservation lots, and private vacant lots under a county-approved management plan.
Monroe County weed and grass height limit
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Code §§ 21-19, 21-20(b)
High grass and weeds means weeds and/or grass in excess of eight inches in height. ... (b)For the purposes of health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the county, all commercial and residential lots, vacant or occupied, shall be kept mowed except that for subdivisions located within public acquisition areas, publicly owned vacant lots acquired for conservation and resource protec...
Water Restrictions
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), Section 12-82 of the County Code bans landscape irrigation between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. year-round and limits sprinkler use to three days a week: even-numbered addresses water Tuesday, Thursday and/or Sunday, odd-numbered addresses water Monday, Wednesday and/or Saturday, under the county's Article IV irrigation-conservation rules.
Lawn Watering Day and Hour Limits, Monroe County
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Code § 12-82
(a)Landscape irrigation shall be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., except as otherwise provided. ... (d)Irrigation of existing landscaping shall comply with the following provisions:(1)Even addresses, as defined in section 12-81, installations with irrigation systems that irrigate both even and odd addresses within the same zones, such as multi-family units and homeowner...
Rainwater Harvesting
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), rainwater collection systems are regulated by tank size. Systems over 275 gallons need a building permit with a site plan, while smaller systems can skip the permit if they avoid setbacks, electrical hookups, and tree clearing.
Rainwater Collection System Rules, Monroe County
Some RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-107
(a)Rainwater collection systems exceeding 275 gallons shall require a building permit, in accordance with Chapter 6 of the Monroe County Code. In addition to any requirements of the Monroe County Building Department, the building permit application shall include the following:(1)Site plan indicating the location of the rainwater collection system;(2)Location of, and permit for, electrical conne...
Native Plants
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), property owners can earn landscaping credits for extra native plantings through the County Biologist. A qualifying butterfly garden with native larval host and nectar plants reduces the number of required understory trees by one, subject to biologist approval.
Native Plant Landscape Incentives, Monroe County
Light RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-106
Incentives are provided to increase water conservation, biological diversity, and sustainable landscaping, subject to approval by the County Biologist. The following activities are encouraged: (a)Butterfly gardens consisting of at least two (2) larval host plants, and two (2) nectar source plants shall allow the reduction of one (1) required understory tree. Pursuant to approval from the County...
Artificial Turf
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), property owners can swap turf grass or sod for artificial turf or a native plant bed and count it as a landscaping credit. The substitution reduces the number of shrubs otherwise required on the site by three.
Artificial Turf Landscaping Credit, Monroe County
Light RestrictionsMonroe County Land Development Code § 114-106
Replacement of turf grass or sod areas with artificial turf or a native plant bed shall allow the reduction of three (3) required shrubs.
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