Brevard County, FL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Native tree minimum
- 50% of required trees
- Native/Waterwise shrub minimum
- 50% of required shrubs
- Invasive species
- zero landscaping credit
- Applies to
- unincorporated Brevard development
- Enforced by
- Natural Resources Management Office
Summary
New development in unincorporated Brevard must plant at least 50% native trees and 50% native or Waterwise-listed shrubs, with invasive species barred from credit.
At least 50 percent of trees required for preservation and planting shall be of native species. At least 50 percent of shrubs and groundcovers shall be native species or recommended by "Waterwise Florida Landscapes", 2004. Florida Water Management Districts, as may be amended. vegetation defined as nonnative invasive or undesirable plants per section 62-4332 shall not be credited towards fulfillment of preservation or planting requirements.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 135).
Full Breakdown
Brevard County's landscaping performance standards require at least 50 percent of trees planted or preserved for development to be native species, and at least 50 percent of required shrubs and groundcovers to be native or drawn from the state's "Waterwise Florida Landscapes" list. Plants classified as nonnative invasive or undesirable get zero credit toward the landscaping requirement. The rule governs new development, additions, and vehicular-use-area landscaping in unincorporated Brevard reviewed by the county's Natural Resources Management Office: it does not apply inside Palm Bay, Melbourne, Titusville, Cocoa, or the county's other incorporated cities, which administer their own landscape codes.
Violations & Fines
No certificate of occupancy or completion issues until the landscape plan meets the native-species ratios; noncompliant nonnative-invasive plantings get no credit and must be replaced before final inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use native plants in my Brevard County yard?
Does this rule apply inside Melbourne or Palm Bay?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brevard County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Brevard County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
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