Wellington, FL Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Under Land Development Regulations § 6.4.2.A.2, Wellington does not treat artificial turf as a landscaping material exempt from its impervious surface limits. The section lists an artificial turf system in the same category as buildings, driveways, walkways, patios and pool aprons, meaning every square foot of turf counts against the property's impervious surface budget just like poured concrete would. The front yard, defined as the area between the front property line and the structure's setback line, is capped at 50 percent impervious surface, so at least half of that space must stay pervious with landscaping or green space, which limits how much artificial turf can run up to the street.

The rear and side yard allowance depends on lot size: lots under half an acre may cover up to 75 percent of the rear and side yard in impervious surface, but the total impervious area in that yard cannot exceed 6,000 square feet regardless of how large the lot is. Lots of half an acre or more get a lower 50 percent coverage ratio for the rear and side yard, but a higher 12,000 square foot cap, reflecting the larger available yard area on bigger equestrian-style lots common in Wellington.

Any impervious surface, turf included, must also be set back a minimum of two feet from every property line unless another section of the Land Development Regulations provides otherwise.