Landscaping Rules in Volusia County, FL (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Volusia County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
No tree in unincorporated Volusia County comes down without a permit from the county forester first. County Code § 72-834(2) bars removing any tree without a tree removal permit, and historical trees need Development Review Committee sign-off on top of that under § 72-834(1).
Volusia County Tree Removal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsVolusia County Code § 72-834(1)-(3)
Unless otherwise authorized by this division, no person shall cause, suffer, permit or allow: (1)The removal of any historical tree without first obtaining approval from the DRC to conduct the removal.(2)The removal of any tree without first obtaining a tree removal permit from the county forester as herein provided.(3)Any encroachments, excavations, or change of the natural grade within the dr...
Weed Ordinances
Volusia County declares grass, weeds, brush and undergrowth over 12 inches tall a nuisance on developed lots in the unincorporated county. Owners get 15 days after notice to cut before the county can abate the lot and lien the property.
Volusia County 12-Inch Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsVolusia County Code § 58-31
Nuisance weeds means grass, weeds, brush and undergrowth (specifically excluding trees, planted ornamental shrubs or garden and landscape plants, and saw palmettos) which have grown in an uncontrolled manner or which have not been cared for or regularly maintained, and which have reached a height in excess of 12 inches.
Water Restrictions
Volusia County's mandatory watering-day schedule does not apply to every irrigation method. Drip, microspray, and bubbler systems, hand-held hoses with an automatic shutoff, new landscaping during its establishment period, and reclaimed water can all be used on days and at times the ordinary schedule would otherwise forbid.
Volusia County Irrigation Method Exemptions
Some RestrictionsVolusia County Code § 50-315
(a) Irrigation using a microspray, microjet, drip or bubbler irrigation system is allowed anytime. (b) Irrigation of new landscape is allowed at any time of day, on any day for the initial 30 days and every other day for the next 30 days for a total of one, 60-day period, provided that the irrigation is limited to the minimum amount necessary for such landscape establishment. ... (e) Irrigation...
Native Plants
Inside Volusia's Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvements and Management Zone, every new development must set aside at least 35 percent of the property as open space landscaped with existing native vegetation or newly planted native species, protecting the class II shellfish-harvesting waters of the lagoon from runoff.
Volusia County Native Landscaping Rule (IRL Zone)
Some RestrictionsVolusia County Code § 50-136
Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, all development shall contain a minimum of 35 percent open space within property boundaries, landscaped with existing native vegetation or planted native species.
Landscaping Rules by City in Volusia County
3 cities in Volusia County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Volusia County ordinances
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