Pompano Beach, FL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code of Ordinances § 155.5203.B.1.b
- Native species threshold
- 50% of required trees on 20+ tree sites
- Palm cap
- no more than 20% of required trees
- Species diversity
- at least 4 different tree species
- Invasive species
- banned per Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council list
- Plan review
- Florida-registered Landscape Architect required, § 155.5203.A.5
Summary
Pompano Beach's landscape code mandates native vegetation on larger sites: where a project needs 20 or more required trees, at least half must be native species, no more than a fifth can be palms, and at least four species must be used, all following the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Guide.
b. Native Vegetation and Diversity
i. All landscaped areas shall include placement of native vegetation in substantial conformity with the principles outlined in The Florida-Friendly Landscaping Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design (University of Florida) and the Administrative Manual.
ii. Where 20 or more trees are required on a site, at least 50 percent of the required trees shall be native species, no more than 20 percent of the required trees shall be palm trees, and the required trees shall consist of at least four different species.
iii. Plant species identified as invasive species in List of Invasive Plant Species (Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council) are prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-122: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through 2026-35, passed 7-29-26).
Full Breakdown
b, Native Vegetation and Diversity, requires that all landscaped areas subject to the code place native vegetation in substantial conformity with The Florida-Friendly Landscaping Guide to Plant Selection & Landscape Design published by the University of Florida and the city's Administrative Manual. The numeric floor kicks in on larger projects: where 20 or more trees are required on a site, at least 50 percent of those required trees must be native species, no more than 20 percent may be palm trees, and the planting plan must include at least four different species overall, preventing a monoculture of a single non-native ornamental.
The same subsection bans planting any species on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's List of Invasive Plant Species anywhere in the city, regardless of project size. B, which also directs that all required plant material be frost- and drought-tolerant, grouped by water and maintenance needs, and suited to the site's ecological setting. 5, so the native-species ratio gets checked at permitting rather than left to self-certification after installation.
Violations & Fines
Installing landscaping that falls short of the 50 percent native-species requirement, exceeds the 20 percent palm cap, or includes a listed invasive species is a Land Development Code violation caught at plan review or inspection and can hold up certificate-of-occupancy approval until the landscape plan is corrected. Because Chapter 155 sets no separate fine for this section, the citywide § 10.99 general penalty applies, up to a $500 fine or 60 days in jail, with continuing noncompliance treated as a new offense each day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pompano Beach require native plants in landscaping?
Can I plant any species I want in my landscaping?
Who checks compliance with the native-plant requirements?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pompano Beach
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pompano Beach to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
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