Doral, FL Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Section 71-3 of the Doral Code of Ordinances defines a 'prohibited plant species' as any species listed in the city's landscape manual that is demonstrably detrimental to native plants, native wildlife, ecosystems, or human health, safety, and welfare. Section 71-10, titled 'Prohibitions,' bars new planting of prohibited species anywhere a site falls under Chapter 71 and requires that any prohibited species already present be removed. The same section separately restricts 'controlled plant species,' those listed in the landscape manual as tending to invade nearby native plant communities: they cannot be planted within 500 feet of a natural forest community or native habitat.

West Indian mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) gets its own buffer rule barring it within 500 feet of a rockland hammock or pine rockland. Section 71-110 reinforces the ban by disqualifying prohibited and controlled species from counting toward a property's minimum required tree count and repeats that prohibited trees must be removed from the site. Compliance is checked by the department of planning and zoning during landscape-plan review under section 71-4 before any building permit or paving is approved, and afterward through the code compliance department's inspection authority under section 71-12.

Where undesirable vegetation on a property rises to a public nuisance, section 71-9 lets the city send a certified-mail notice giving the owner seven days to remedy the condition before the city removes it and liens the property for the cost plus six percent annual interest.