8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Palm Beach County limits residential lawn vegetation to 18 inches under PBC Code §14-32 (Property Maintenance). Taller growth on improved residential parcels constitutes a public nuisance subject to abatement and lien.
Tree trimming in unincorporated Palm Beach County is largely deregulated for residential parcels following FL FS §163.045 (2019), which preempts local permit requirements when an ISA-certified arborist documents that trimming is necessary. PBC ULDC Article 14 still governs trimming in landscape buffers and on commercial sites.
Fla. Stat. § 163.045
163.045  Tree pruning, trimming, or removal on residential property. — (1)  For purposes of this section, the term: (a)  “Documentation” means an onsite assessment performed in accordance with the tree risk assessment procedures outlined in Best Management Practices - Tree Risk Assessment, Second Edition (2017) by an arborist certified by the International Society of...
Residential tree removal in unincorporated Palm Beach County is preempted by FL FS §163.045 when an ISA-certified arborist documents the tree is a danger. Outside that exemption, PBC ULDC Art. 14 applies to commercial sites, preserve areas, and protected species.
Fla. Stat. § 163.045(2)–(4)
(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. A tree poses an unaccepta...
PBC Code Chapter 14 (Property Maintenance) requires unincorporated property owners to keep lots free of noxious weeds, invasive vegetation, and overgrowth exceeding 18 inches. PBC ERM also enforces Florida invasive species removal under the County Invasive Plant Removal Code.
Unincorporated Palm Beach County is in the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), which imposes year-round landscape irrigation limits under SFWMD Chapter 40E-24. Two-day-per-week watering is the baseline, with stricter limits during declared shortage.
Rainwater harvesting is allowed and encouraged in unincorporated Palm Beach County. There is no state or county prohibition, and SFWMD promotes residential rain barrels as a water conservation measure.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping using Florida native plants is protected statewide under FL FS §373.185 and encouraged by Palm Beach County. PBC ULDC Article 14 awards landscape credits for native species and requires native vegetation in preserve areas.
Fla. Stat. § 373.185
373.185  Local Florida-friendly landscaping ordinances. — (1)  As used in this section, the term: (a)  “Local government” means any county or municipality of the state. (b)  “Florida-friendly landscaping” means quality landscapes that conserve water, protect the environment, are adaptable to local conditions, and are drought tolerant. The principles of such la...
Artificial turf is allowed on residential parcels in unincorporated Palm Beach County under PBC ULDC Article 14, subject to design standards. It does not satisfy required pervious or landscape area calculations and may be regulated by HOAs.
5 cities in Palm Beach County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
See every category we cover for Palm Beach County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Palm Beach County Ordinance Hub →