Miami-Dade County requires native and drought-tolerant landscaping in new development through Chapter 18A of the County Code. The county's landscape ordinance mandates that a percentage of required plantings be Florida-friendly species adapted to South Florida's tropical climate.
Chapter 18A of the Miami-Dade County Code establishes landscape requirements for new development and major renovations. The county's landscape manual requires use of drought-tolerant and Florida-friendly species. Miami-Dade encourages native South Florida plants adapted to the subtropical climate including live oak, gumbo limbo, sabal palm, and sea grape. The county prohibits planting certain invasive exotic species listed in the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Category I list, including Brazilian pepper, Australian pine, and melaleuca. The South Florida Water Management District's Florida-Friendly Landscaping program provides guidance. Residential property owners are not required to replace existing non-native landscaping but are encouraged to transition toward native species. New commercial development must meet specific native plant percentages.
New development failing to meet landscape code requirements will not receive final inspection approval. Planting prohibited invasive species violates Chapter 18A. Existing property owners are not penalized for non-native plants but may be cited for invasive species that spread to natural areas.
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See how Miami-Dade County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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