Lee County, FL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Native trees required
- At least 75 percent
- Native shrubs required
- At least 50 percent
- Governing section
- LDC section 10-420(b)
- Invasive exotics
- Prohibited; must be removed
- Installation method
- Xeriscape principles required
Summary
Lee County's Land Development Code sets a hard native-species share for code-required landscaping: at least 75 percent of trees and 50 percent of shrubs must be native Florida species, and a list of invasive exotics is banned outright.
A deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land or create any requirement or limitation in conflict with any provision of part II of this chapter.
Full Breakdown
Section 10-420(b) requires that at least 75 percent of the trees and 50 percent of the shrubs used to fulfill the landscape requirements be native Florida species. Plant material must also meet Florida No. 1 grade or better, and code-required trees must be at least ten feet tall with a two-inch caliper and a four-foot spread at installation. Section 10-420(h) lists highly invasive exotics that may not be planted and must be removed from the development area, with a perpetual maintenance statement on the development order. Section 10-421 requires xeriscape installation: drought-tolerant plants, mulching and reduced turf.
Violations & Fines
These apply to code-required landscaping on permitted development. Planting a prohibited invasive exotic or missing the native percentages is a Land Development Code violation, carrying a fine up to $500 per offense under section 1-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lee County require native plants?
Which plants are banned from Lee County landscaping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lee County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Lee County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
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