Delray Beach, FL Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Palm Beach County has some of the strictest invasive plant regulations in Florida. Article 14.C of the Unified Land Development Code requires removal of nine nonnative invasive plants prior to receiving a Certificate of Occupancy for new construction in unincorporated areas and prohibits planting any of these species. Properties improved after 1986 must remain clear of these nine species. Article 14.D extends requirements to properties within 500 feet of designated natural areas, including those within municipalities. It also requires removal of Old World climbing fern and air potato from all developed properties countywide. The nine prohibited species include: Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia), Old World climbing fern (Lygodium microphyllum), air potato (Dioscorea bulbifera), earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculiformis), carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardioides), Burma reed (Neyraudia reynaudiana), and lather leaf (Colubrina asiatica). The Florida Department of Agriculture also maintains a broader statewide list of prohibited and regulated invasive plants.