Tarpon Springs encourages native plants and xeriscaping through its landscape code in Appendix A, with preservation of native vegetation and water-efficient design standards required for new development under the city's zoning ordinance.
Tarpon Springs' landscape code in Appendix A includes provisions on Open Spaces and Preservation of Native Vegetation and Xeriscape Requirements. The rules favor drought-tolerant Florida-friendly species, encourage retention of existing native vegetation where feasible, and require new commercial and multi-family projects to incorporate xeriscape design principles such as soil amendment, mulching, and zoned irrigation. Homeowners are not required to plant natives but cannot violate weed and grass-height limits. Native and Florida-friendly landscaping is also protected by Florida Statute 373.185, which limits HOAs from prohibiting Florida-friendly landscaping practices.
Plan-review denial for non-compliant landscape designs, certificate-of-occupancy holds, and fines for failure to maintain required plantings.
See how other cities in Pinellas County handle native plants.
See how Tarpon Springs's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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