Fort Myers Code Compliance enforces a citywide 12-inch maximum height for grass, weeds and underbrush on all property, including vacant lots, plus the adjacent right-of-way strip. Violations are corrected by City-contracted abatement billed and liened against the property. The Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services (FDACS) regulates state-listed noxious weeds separately.
The City's Common Code Violations publication states that 'Lawns, grass, weeds, and underbrush must be kept cut to no more than 12 inches in height on all property within the city,' and that owners are responsible for the same standard in the adjacent right-of-way. Beyond height, the publication identifies overgrown vegetation, trash, and debris accumulation as among the most-cited code violations citywide. State noxious-weed control (FS Chapter 581, Plant Industry) is administered by FDACS — locally, that program operates in parallel with the City's nuisance authority. Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FS 373.185) cannot be banned by the City or an HOA, but it does not exempt the owner from the 12-inch height standard or noxious-weed obligations.
First step is a Notice of Violation with a compliance window. Failure to comply triggers City-contracted abatement — the cost is assessed against the parcel as a special assessment lien plus administrative fee. Persistent violations are referred to the Special Magistrate (Chapter 2, Article V), who can impose daily fines until corrected.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Fort Myers, FL
Fort Myers' tree and landscape code is consolidated in the Land Development Code (Subpart B), Chapter 138 — Vegetation, which contains Article I (General), A...
Fort Myers, FL
Removal of a protected, specimen, or required-landscape tree under Fort Myers Chapter 138 (Vegetation), Article II (Landscaping, including § 138-46), general...
Fort Myers, FL
Fort Myers does not maintain a stand-alone 'heritage tree' registry under Chapter 138, but the City's Chapter 138 (Vegetation) protects specimen/protected na...
Fort Myers, FL
Removal of a native-species tree on residential or commercial property is listed by the City of Fort Myers as a permit-required activity under Chapter 138 (V...
Fort Myers, FL
Solar installations in Fort Myers require a building permit through the City Building Division and must comply with the Florida Building Code (FBC) — Residen...
Fort Myers, FL
Florida Statute § 509.102 forbids Fort Myers from prohibiting food trucks 'within the entirety of the entity's jurisdiction,' which preempts citywide bans, d...
See how Fort Myers's weed ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
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