Landscaping Rules in Santa Rosa County, FL (2026)

5 rules for unincorporated Santa Rosa County, Florida.

Verified from official government sources

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

Tree Trimming

Routine trimming of trees on your own residential lot needs no county permit. Under Florida law, a homeowner may even remove a tree without any county notice or fee when a certified arborist documents it poses an unacceptable risk. Utility line-clearance trimming is handled by the utility.

Tree Trimming Rules in Santa Rosa County

Some Restrictions

Santa Rosa County LDC 4.07.05.A.1

Existing Single Family Residential or Duplex Structures — Santa Rosa County will not require a tree removal permit for the removal of a tree on a parcel that has an existing single family residential structure located onsite.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

No county tree-removal permit is needed on an existing single-family or duplex home site. Development parcels must permit removal of protected, Heritage, and Champion trees. Florida law also waives any permit when a certified arborist documents a tree is a danger.

Tree Removal Permits in Santa Rosa County

Some Restrictions

Santa Rosa County LDC 4.07.05.C

Permit Required — Protected or preserved trees shall not be removed or damaged without first obtaining a tree removal permit or development order from the County. ... Non-protected trees may be removed upon approval of a major land clearing permit per Section 4.08.01 or a minor land clearing permit per Section 4.08.00.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

Santa Rosa County Code Enforcement does not investigate vegetative overgrowth, grass, limbs, or woods, on private property. There is no active county weed-height citation program in the unincorporated area. Trash and illegal dumping are enforced; routine weeds are left to cities and HOAs.

Weeds and Overgrowth Rules in Santa Rosa County

Some Restrictions

Santa Rosa County Code Enforcement Handout

WHAT WE DO NOT INVESTIGATE: Vegetative overgrowth (grass, limbs, woods)

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Water Restrictions

Santa Rosa County lies in the Northwest Florida Water Management District, which imposes NO day-of-week landscape-irrigation limits. Everyday lawn watering is allowed, subject to any local utility rules. State law also requires a working rain/moisture sensor on automatic irrigation systems.

Lawn Watering Restrictions in Santa Rosa County

Some Restrictions

FS 373.62(1)

Any person who purchases and installs an automatic landscape irrigation system must properly install, maintain, and operate technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the system during periods of sufficient moisture.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Native Plants

New development in Santa Rosa County must use native, Florida-Friendly species and may not plant invasive exotics. Existing single-family and duplex homes are exempt from the landscape code. State law protects a homeowner's right to install Florida-Friendly landscaping despite HOA rules.

Native and Florida-Friendly Landscaping in Santa Rosa County

Some Restrictions

Santa Rosa County LDC 4.07.01.G

Landscaping shall utilize native species as recommended by the Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFL) program and the University of Florida. Landscaping shall not utilize any exotic vegetation which is likely to out-compete or otherwise displace native vegetation as identified in the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Lists.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

All Santa Rosa County ordinances

See every category we cover for Santa Rosa County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Santa Rosa County Ordinance Hub →