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Hernando County, FL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Few Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Protection
Fla. Stat. 373.185
Turf mandate
Barred
Covers
Ordinances and HOA deeds
Watch for
Keep it tended

Summary

No Hernando County ordinance can force a turf lawn. Florida Statute 373.185 bars any local ordinance or deed restriction from prohibiting Florida-Friendly Landscaping, so residents may replace grass with native, drought-tolerant, and pollinator plantings.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Hernando County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

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.

Source: Florida StatutesView official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.

Full Breakdown

Florida law protects native and drought-tolerant landscaping outright. Florida Statute 373.185 provides that neither a local government ordinance nor a deed restriction may prohibit or be enforced to prohibit a property owner from implementing Florida-Friendly Landscaping. So homeowners across Hernando County, including the deed-restricted subdivisions of Spring Hill, may landscape with Florida native species, pollinator gardens, and low-water beds. The state and SWFWMD promote it to cut irrigation demand and protect the aquifer and springs. The one limit is upkeep: a genuinely neglected, overgrown yard can still draw a nuisance notice, so an intentional native planting is best kept tended and defined.

Violations & Fines

None for native planting itself. A neglected, overgrown planting can still draw a county nuisance notice, but a tended Florida-Friendly yard is protected from enforcement by Florida Statute 373.185.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I replace my lawn with native plants?
Yes. Florida Statute 373.185 stops any local ordinance or deed restriction from prohibiting Florida-Friendly Landscaping, so native and drought-tolerant yards are protected across Hernando County.
Can my HOA in Spring Hill force me to keep grass?
No. The statute bars deed restrictions from prohibiting Florida-Friendly Landscaping, though the association may still require the planting be maintained and neat.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Hernando County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsWater RestrictionsHeavy RestrictionsArtificial TurfSome RestrictionsTree TrimmingFew RestrictionsWeed OrdinancesSome RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage TreesFew RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesFew RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions

All Hernando County rules

Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hernando County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview

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