Sanford, FL Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

The Land Development Regulations' impervious surface ratio rule specifically lists "compacted gravel or mulch and artificial turf" as impervious, so a homeowner or developer who installs turf in place of grass must add its square footage to the impervious side of the ISR calculation (impervious area in square feet divided by entire lot area in square feet) rather than treating it as landscaping. That matters most in the SR-1AA, SR-1A, SR-1, MR-2 and MR-3 districts, where total lot ISR is capped at 50 percent, and in planned developments capped at 60 percent; turf laid over a driveway extension, side yard or patio surround can be the difference between a compliant lot and one that exceeds its cap.

By contrast, the Schedule allows pervious pavement or other non-compacted material to count as pervious only if it is continually maintained free of clay or fine particles that would prevent water from percolating through it, so a maintenance lapse can effectively reclassify a surface as impervious as well. Applicants must submit their ISR calculation, covering any artificial turf, with every application to the city, and the figure is checked before the Administrative Official issues a development order for the surrounding work.