Davie, FL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Native and drought-tolerant landscaping is encouraged in Davie and protected under Florida law. The town's landscape code, Sec. 12-111, sets landscaping standards for lots and sites, including minimum numbers of trees and shrubs that vary by lot size, and directs that required street/swale trees be selected from the current Town of Davie Landscape Materials List. The town also partners with Broward County on the NatureScape program, which promotes water-efficient, environmentally friendly landscaping. At the state level, Florida Statute 373.185 - the Florida-Friendly Landscaping statute - defines Florida-Friendly Landscaping as 'quality landscapes that conserve water, protect the environment, are adaptable to local conditions, and are drought tolerant.' The statute provides that a deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit, or be enforced so as to prohibit, any property owner from implementing Florida-Friendly Landscaping; the HOA Act (Chapter 720) carries a parallel protection. Practically, this means an HOA generally cannot bar a Davie homeowner from using native, drought-tolerant or low-water plantings, though the town's minimum landscaping requirements and Landscape Materials List still apply to new construction and additions. The town does not publish a rule banning native plants; rather, it requires that required plantings come from an approved list and meet lot-by-lot minimums.