Miami encourages the use of Florida-friendly native plants in residential and commercial landscaping. The city's landscape code promotes drought-tolerant and salt-tolerant species adapted to South Florida's subtropical climate and coastal conditions.
The City of Miami zoning code includes landscape requirements for new construction and major renovations that encourage Florida-friendly landscaping principles. South Florida native species such as gumbo limbo, live oak, sabal palm, sea grape, and silver buttonwood are recommended for their drought tolerance, salt tolerance, and low maintenance needs. Miami-Dade County's landscape ordinance (Chapter 18A) requires specific tree canopy coverage percentages for parking lots and commercial developments. The Florida-Friendly Landscaping program, established by UF/IFAS Extension, provides guidance on right-plant-right-place principles that reduce irrigation needs and chemical inputs. Invasive species like Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and melaleuca must not be planted and should be removed when found. HOAs may not prohibit Florida-friendly landscaping under Florida Statute 373.185.
Planting prohibited invasive species may result in code enforcement citations and mandatory removal. Non-compliance with commercial landscape requirements delays certificate of occupancy issuance.
Miami, FL
The City of Miami is a flat, low-elevation coastal urban area and is not designated as a high wildfire hazard severity zone. Most wildland fire activity in M...
Miami, FL
Miami's zoning and property maintenance codes do not restrict residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays. Political signs are protected as f...
Miami, FL
Miami has no specific City ordinance restricting residential inflatable holiday displays. Practical limits come from HOA and condo covenants, the Miami Code ...
Miami, FL
Miami has no citywide ordinance restricting residential holiday lights at single-family homes. Condo and HOA covenants frequently impose rules under FL §718 ...
Miami, FL
Outdoor kitchens in Miami require building, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing permits from the City of Miami Building Department under the Florida Buildin...
Miami, FL
Miami does not have a specific ordinance regulating residential offset smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired pizza ovens at single-family homes. Multi-unit b...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Miami-Dade County.
See how other cities in Miami-Dade County handle native plants.
See how Miami's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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