State law protects your right to install Florida-Friendly, native, drought-tolerant landscaping. Neither Osceola County nor an HOA may prohibit it. County landscape-buffer rules for development still encourage native and low-water species.
Florida Statute 373.185 bars any local ordinance or deed restriction from prohibiting a property owner from implementing Florida-Friendly Landscaping, which includes native and drought-tolerant plantings, right-plant-right-place design, and efficient irrigation. Osceola County therefore cannot ban a native or xeriscape yard, and HOAs cannot enforce covenants against it. For development and subdivision projects, the county Land Development Code's landscape and buffer standards separately require plantings and favor native, low-maintenance species. Homeowners are still expected to keep the yard maintained so a native landscape does not read as neglect or an overgrowth nuisance.
No county penalty for a Florida-Friendly yard; an unmaintained landscape can still be cited as overgrowth under Chapter 23 nuisance rules.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Osceola County, FL
County parks, public boat ramps and other Osceola County recreational areas are open only during hours set by the county manager. Being on the premises outsi...
Osceola County, FL
Osceola County's Land Development Code requires exterior site lighting to be designed so it does not bleed onto adjacent properties or rights-of-way — photom...
Osceola County, FL
Despite sitting beside Walt Disney World and the dark Kissimmee chain-of-lakes, Osceola County's Land Development Code expressly states 'Dark Sky principles ...
Osceola County, FL
Garage, yard and similar sales are permitted as an accessory use throughout unincorporated Osceola County, limited to one per six-month period lasting no mor...
Osceola County, FL
You may place political signs on your own private property in unincorporated Osceola County, but the Land Development Code bars all temporary signs — includi...
Osceola County, FL
Osceola County has no dedicated 'tiny home' category. A permanent tiny house is treated as a dwelling that must meet zoning density, setbacks and the Florida...
See how Osceola County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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