Gulfport, FL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches (weeds, grasses, other vegetation)
- Exempt plants
- Trees, flowers, ornamental bushes/plants
- Correction notice
- 7 days (§ 12-5)
- Abatement fee
- $100.00 administrative fee plus mowing cost
- Lien priority
- First priority, superior to all but tax liens
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine or 60 days jail (§ 1-6)
Summary
Gulfport treats weeds, grasses or other vegetation over 12 inches tall as a public nuisance under Code Section 12-2(a), covering species like ragweed, burdock and sandspur but not trees, flowers or ornamental bushes. The city can give a 7-day correction notice, then abate the violation itself and bill a $100 fee plus a lien on the property.
The maintaining, using, placing, depositing, leaving, permitting, allowing or causing any of the following items, conditions or things to exist in, on, over or under any public or private property shall constitute a nuisance; provided however that this enumeration shall not be construed to exclude the identification of other nuisances not specifically identified herein:(a)Any weeds, grasses or other vegetation of a height exceeding twelve (12) inches, including without limitation, broom grass, jimpson, burdock, ragweed or sandspur and not including trees, flowers and ornamental bushes or plants;
Full Breakdown
Section 12-2 of the Gulfport Code makes it a nuisance to maintain, place, permit or allow certain conditions on any public or private property, and subsection (a) lists weeds, grasses or other vegetation exceeding 12 inches in height, naming broom grass, jimpson, burdock, ragweed and sandspur as examples while expressly excluding trees, flowers and ornamental bushes or plants. Section 12-3 makes the property owner, or anyone with care, custody or control of the parcel, responsible for the nuisance, and each day it continues is a separate offense.
Under Section 12-4, the city's police officers or environmental safety officers can issue citations, with fines assessed under the general penalty in Section 1-6, and the city can also sue in court to abate the nuisance and recover attorney's fees. As an alternative, Section 12-5 lets the city serve written notice, by certified mail or by posting it on the property, giving the violator seven days, or longer if the circumstances call for it, to cut the vegetation. 00 administrative fee against the violator, and that amount becomes a first-priority lien against the property, superior to every lien except taxes, enforceable by foreclosure.
Violations & Fines
Letting weeds or grass grow past 12 inches is a nuisance under Section 12-2(a), and each day it continues is a separate offense under Section 12-3. The general penalty in Section 1-6 allows a fine up to $500.00 or up to 60 days in jail, or both. Under the alternate abatement procedure in Section 12-5, the city can mow the lot itself after a 7-day notice and record a lien covering its costs plus a $100.00 administrative fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass or weeds legally get in Gulfport?
How much time do I get to cut overgrown grass before the city acts?
What does it cost if the city has to mow my lot?
Who is responsible if a rental property's yard is overgrown?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gulfport
How Gulfport compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Gulfport 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 Pinellas County handle weed ordinances.