In unincorporated Polk County, grass or weeds on a lot two acres or less adjacent to a residential or commercial parcel may not exceed 18 inches high on more than 10% of the property. The Property Maintenance Ordinance is enforced by Building and Codes.
Polk County Ordinance 08-047 (as amended, the Property Maintenance Ordinance) governs "overgrown lots" in unincorporated areas. On a lot two acres or less next to a parcel with a residential or commercial building, grass or weeds cannot exceed 18 inches for more than 10% of the property. On lots larger than two acres, the 18-inch limit applies within 200 feet of an adjacent property line with a residential or commercial building. Lots used mainly for agriculture only must keep grass under 18 inches within 25 feet of such a property line. Cities (Lakeland, Winter Haven, Bartow, etc.) set their own limits inside city limits.
Code officer posts a yellow placard; owner has 10 days to cut. Polk County then abates and assesses all costs against the property as a lien equal to a property-tax lien.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Polk County, FL
Polk County addresses hoarding through its nuisance-numbers and animal-care provisions plus Florida's cruelty law. Keeping animals in numbers or conditions t...
Polk County, FL
Polk County follows state law: intentionally feeding bears, alligators, and certain other wildlife is prohibited by Florida's FWC. Penalties under FS 379.412...
Polk County, FL
Polk County Code Section 10.6-16(12) sets park hours: parks are open 365 days a year during designated hours posted at each park entrance, and no one may rem...
Polk County, FL
Polk County has no residential light-trespass ordinance. The LDC bars signs bright enough to glare onto adjoining residential property and requires developme...
Polk County, FL
Polk County has no county-wide dark-sky ordinance for homes. The LDC requires that lighting for parking and loading areas be shielded or aimed away from adja...
Polk County, FL
Garage-sale and yard-sale signs in unincorporated Polk County are temporary signs under LDC Section 760.F. On-premises signs need no permit but must keep a 5...
See how Polk County's grass height limits rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.