Bonita Springs, FL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height trigger
- Grasses and weeds over 16 inches
- Distance trigger
- Within 150 feet of developed adjacent property
- Owner deadline
- Ten days from receipt of notice
- Appeal
- Written, to city manager, within five days
- Lien interest
- 12 percent per annum
- Enforcer
- City manager, through Code Enforcement
Summary
In the City of Bonita Springs, Florida, Code § 20-53 declares grasses and weeds over 16 inches high a nuisance when any part of the growth sits within 150 feet of the boundary of a developed adjacent property. The city manager enforces the Lot Mowing Ordinance, owners get ten days to mow, and unpaid abatement costs become a lien carrying 12 percent interest.
It is hereby declared and determined that grasses and weeds in excess of 16 inches in height covering any part on a lot less than one acre impairs the economic welfare of property, contributes to a fire hazard, or creates a health hazard and shall constitute a nuisance when any part of said growths are located within 150 feet of the boundary of any developed adjacent property in the city. When nuisance vegetation is located on acreage, only that part of the growth located within 150 feet of a residential, commercial, or industrial, public or quasi-public use shall constitute a nuisance as declared above.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 20, Article III of the city code is titled the Bonita Springs Lot Mowing Ordinance. Section 20-52 defines nuisance grasses and weeds as growth that is not regularly cared for and maintained and that exceeds 16 inches in height. A lot is a tract of one acre or less, and acreage is any tract more than one acre. Developed property is property that has been improved and is in use for residential, commercial, industrial, public or quasi-public purposes.
Section 20-53 sets the trigger. On a lot, growth over 16 inches covering any part of it is a nuisance when any part of the growth lies within 150 feet of the boundary of any developed adjacent property in the city. On acreage, only the strip of growth within 150 feet of a residential, commercial, industrial, public or quasi-public use counts. Section 20-54 bars every person, firm, partnership, corporation, trust or estate from permitting nuisance grasses and weeds to exist within the city.
The city manager is the investigating and enforcing authority under Section 20-55, with power to inspect land, receive complaints and enter property on official business. Under Section 20-56, the manager notifies record owners by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, and physically posts a notice on the property. The owner has ten days from receipt to mow, and is deemed to have received notice on the tenth working day after mailing. An owner can file a written appeal with the city manager through the Code Enforcement Office within five days of receipt, and the notice states that all decisions of the city manager are final.
If the growth remains after the ten-day period, the city manager reinspects and is authorized to enter the property and abate. The assessment invoice lists contractor, certified mail and administrative reimbursement and demands payment within 30 days of mailing. Unpaid, it becomes a special assessment lien signed by the Code Enforcement Hearing Examiner and recorded in the official records of Lee County, Florida.
Violations & Fines
Article III prints no fine schedule. The penalty is abatement at the owner's expense: the city mows after the ten-day period, sends an invoice for contractor, certified mail and administrative costs, and records a special assessment lien if the invoice is unpaid after 30 days. The lien accrues 12 percent interest per annum on the unpaid balance, runs with the land, and can be enforced by civil action including foreclosure. Section 20-58 also lets the council seek mandatory injunctions in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass and weeds get in the City of Bonita Springs?
How long do I have to mow after a notice of violation?
What happens if the city mows and I do not pay?
Is vacant land covered by other vegetation rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bonita Springs
How Bonita Springs compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Bonita Springs to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Weed Ordinances in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Lee County handle weed ordinances.