Showing ordinances that apply to South Apopka, FL
South Apopka is an unincorporated community (population 6,803) in Orange County, Florida. Because South Apopka is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal code. Instead, Orange County ordinances apply directly to properties here. The native plants rules below are the ones that govern your area.
Florida §373.185 protects homeowner rights to install Florida-Friendly Landscaping using native and drought-tolerant plants. HOAs cannot ban Florida-Friendly yards in Orange County.
FL §373.185 declares Florida-Friendly Landscaping a matter of statewide policy and prohibits HOAs, CDDs, and local governments from banning its use. UF/IFAS maintains the official FFL plant list featuring Florida native species like saw palmetto, muhly grass, firebush, coontie, beautyberry, and wiregrass alongside non-invasive drought-tolerant options. Orange County's sandy soils and frequent dry spells make native plants particularly well adapted. The 2023 amendment (SB 82) further strengthened protections against HOA restrictions, requiring HOAs to permit FFL if at least 50% of landscape is FFL-compliant. Invasive species on the FDACS prohibited list (Brazilian pepper, cogongrass) are separately banned from planting.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how South Apopka's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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