Landscaping Rules in Pinellas County, FL (2026)

5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Pinellas County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Pinellas County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing, effectively removing or transplanting a protected tree anywhere in Pinellas County, incorporated or unincorporated, needs a county tree permit under Code § 58-813(b). Protected trees include any tree 4 inches or more in trunk diameter, all palms 6 feet or taller, and on homesteaded single-family lots, only trees over 24 inches DBH. Unauthorized removal costs $150.00 per inch of trunk diameter.

Pinellas County Protected Tree Removal Permit

Significant Restrictions

Pinellas County Code § 58-813(b)(1)

Protected trees. Protected trees may not be removed or effectively removed without authorization pursuant to this article. Protected trees include: (1)Any tree with a diameter breast height (DBH) of four inches or larger, measured at a height of four and half feet above the ground.(2)All palms six feet in height or larger.(3)On residential property with a homestead exemption from the Pinellas C...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

In unincorporated Pinellas County, Sec. 58-331 bars letting weeds, plant material or debris grow or pile up untended when it breeds vermin, creates a fire hazard or blocks a road's traffic sightlines. Sec. 58-326 defines excessive growth as uncultivated weeds or plants over 12 inches tall, and the county's environmental management department can order a violating property cleared.

Pinellas County Weed and Debris Height Limit

Some Restrictions

Pinellas County Code §§ 58-326, 58-330 to 58-332

Excessive growth means the growth of weeds or plants, which are not cultivated or landscaped or regularly tended, which reach a height in excess of 12 inches. ...No person, nor any other business entity, shall permit the excessive growth or accumulation of weeds or other similar plant material, or the accumulation of debris or other similar material which is untended and which creates or may cr...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Water Restrictions

Pinellas County enforces twice-weekly to once-weekly irrigation rules tied to Southwest Florida Water Management District phases, with $193 first-violation citations doubling per repeat offense.

Pinellas County Watering Schedule and Drought Restrictions

Heavy Restrictions

Southwest Florida Water Management District - Modified Phase III Water Shortage Restrictions

Lawn Watering Days and Times Lawn and landscape watering remains limited to a once-per-week schedule . Residents should check with their city or county for their allowable day and times as many have different schedules or stricter hours in effect. Below is the standard watering days schedule based on addresses ending in: 0 or 1 shall only water on Monday 2 or 3, on Tuesday 4 or 5, on Wednesday ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Rainwater Harvesting

Unincorporated Pinellas County lets multi-family developments count rainwater harvesting systems toward up to half of their required common open space, if the systems follow LID stormwater standards.

Pinellas County Rainwater Harvesting Open-Space Credit

Light Restrictions

Pinellas County Code of Ordinances § 138-390.2(b)(3)

Up to 50 percent of the common open space requirement may be satisfied by stormwater management systems that utilize LID stormwater management principles, including but not limited to bio/vegetated swales, buffers and landscape strips; bioretention and biofiltration; rainwater harvesting systems and rain gardens.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Native Plants

Unincorporated Pinellas County requires at least 60 percent of the plant material used to satisfy landscaping requirements on new development to be native varieties.

Pinellas County 60 Percent Native Plant Rule

Some Restrictions

Pinellas County Code § 138-3655(a)

(a)Species selection.(1)Any plant material used to meet the minimum standards of this division shall be consistent with species requirements listed in Section 138-3664.(2)At least 60 percent of the plant material shall be native varieties.(3)For every ten landscape trees provided, one additional species is required to promote species diversity. Each species should make up at least ten percent o...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗