Tamarac, FL Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Named species banned
- 10 nuisance species under LDC § 10-4.4(K)(1)(d)
- Also banned
- all FLEPPC Category I invasive plants
- Separate ban
- any FLEPPC-listed invasive species (K)(2)(d)
- Eradication
- required before final certificate of occupancy
- Scope
- applies to natural areas and rights-of-way too
- Tree removal exemption
- removing a listed invasive needs no license
Summary
Tamarac's Land Development Code bans ten named nuisance species, from Brazilian pepper to carrotwood, plus every Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Category I plant, from all landscaped areas. Property owners must eradicate any of these invasive plants on site, including in natural areas, before the City signs off on a certificate of occupancy.
All landscaped areas shall be maintained free of nuisance species, including natural areas within developed property. The following species are considered nuisance species:(i)Schinus terebinthifolius (Brazilian pepper tree/Florida holly).(ii)Metopium toxiferum (poison wood).(iii)Melaleuca quinquenervia (cajeput tree/melaleuca).(iv)Casuarina spp. (Australian pine, all species).(v)Bischofia javanica (bischofia, bishopwood).(vi)Acacia auriculaeformis (earleaf acacia).(vii)Araucaria excelsia (Norfolk Island pine).(viii)Brassia actinophylla (schefflera).(ix)Leucaena leucocephala (lead tree).(x)Cupaniopsis anacardiopsis (carrotwood).(xi)All trees specifically identified asCategoryIon the Florida Invasive Species Council's List of Invasive Plant Species, as may be amended. ... Plant species identified as invasive species in List of Invasive Plant Species (Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council) are prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Section 10-4.4(K)(1)(d) of the Land Development Code lists ten nuisance species that may never be part of required landscaping anywhere in the City: Brazilian pepper tree (Schinus terebinthifolius), poisonwood (Metopium toxiferum), melaleuca (Melaleuca quinquenervia), all Australian pine species (Casuarina spp.), bishopwood (Bischofia javanica), earleaf acacia (Acacia auriculaeformis), Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria excelsia), schefflera (listed in the Code as Brassia actinophylla), lead tree (Leucaena leucocephala), and carrotwood (Cupaniopsis anacardiopsis). The same subsection extends the ban to every tree the Florida Invasive Species Council lists as Category I.
Section 10-4.4(K)(2)(d) separately prohibits planting any species on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's List of Invasive Plant Species. Section 10-4.4(K)(2)(e) requires eradication of nuisance vegetation on every site, including rights-of-way and privately owned natural areas, before the Department issues a final certificate of occupancy or approves any vehicular use area modification. The Community Development Department reviews compliance as part of the landscape plan required for Site Plan Approval, Improvement Permits, and Building Permits under section 10-4.4(J), and an applicant who wants to clear a listed invasive is exempted from the City's usual tree-removal license requirement under section 10-4.4(F)(3)(c)(viii).
Violations & Fines
Planting or failing to eradicate a listed nuisance or invasive species is a Land Development Code violation under section 10-5.5(B)(2)(f), disturbing required landscaping. The Code Compliance Division and Special Magistrate created under Chapter 2 of the City Code enforce it, and the City may deny or withhold a certificate of occupancy or other permits until the invasive plants are removed. Violations carry misdemeanor-of-the-second-degree exposure plus civil fines and liens under section 10-5.5(D).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plants are banned as nuisance species in Tamarac?
Do I have to remove invasive plants already growing on my property?
Can I remove an invasive tree without a tree removal license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tamarac
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tamarac to another location·View the Florida invasive plant rules overview
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Prohibited Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Broward County handle prohibited species.