Volusia County, FL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Native landscaping minimum
- 35% of site landscaped in native vegetation
- Applicable zone
- Indian River Lagoon management zone only
- Zone boundaries
- North of Brevard line, between US-1 and A1A
- Purpose
- Protects lagoon's class II shellfish-harvesting waters
- Governing sections
- § 50-136 rule; zone defined at § 50-133
Summary
Inside Volusia's Indian River Lagoon Surface Water Improvements and Management Zone, every new development must set aside at least 35 percent of the property as open space landscaped with existing native vegetation or newly planted native species, protecting the class II shellfish-harvesting waters of the lagoon from runoff.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary, all development shall contain a minimum of 35 percent open space within property boundaries, landscaped with existing native vegetation or planted native species.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 108 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. " The requirement applies "notwithstanding any other provision of this article to the contrary," meaning it overrides conflicting landscaping standards elsewhere in the code. S. Highway 1, and on the south by the Brevard County line. Sec. 50-133 explains the purpose: protecting the water quality of the lagoon, the county's only class II waters, which the state has designated for shellfish propagation and harvesting under the Surface Water Improvement and Management Act. Municipalities inside the zone had to submit their own compliant ordinance to the county council by October 1, 1990, under Sec.
50-134, or the county may enforce its own zone standards directly. The native-landscaping mandate sits alongside companion rules in the same division: a ban on new vertical seawalls and bulkheads except where erosion seriously threatens life or property (Sec. 50-135), and a one-half-inch stormwater retention standard for single-family and duplex lots not otherwise covered by a stormwater plan (Sec. 50-137).
Violations & Fines
Developments inside the Indian River Lagoon zone that fail to landscape at least 35 percent of the property with native vegetation are out of compliance with Sec. 50-136, and the county or a participating municipality can withhold site plan or subdivision approval until the landscaping plan is corrected, since the standard applies notwithstanding any conflicting provision elsewhere in the land development code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Volusia County does the 35 percent native-landscaping rule apply?
How much of my property has to be native landscaping under this rule?
Why does Volusia County require native landscaping in this particular zone?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Volusia County
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