Miami, FL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Height limit
- 12 inches (grass/weeds/bushes)
- Governing sections
- Miami Code §§ 22-116, 22-117
- Admin charge
- $150 plus costs
- Enforcement
- Inspector notice, then city clearing
- Unpaid costs
- Become a lien, foreclosable
Summary
City code bars grass, weeds, or bushes over 12 inches on any lot in Miami; violators face code enforcement notice, city-ordered clearing, and a lien with a $150 administrative charge plus costs.
It shall be the duty of all owners of lots, parcels and tracts of land within the city to keep such property in a safe clean and presentable condition, and to remove therefrom all garbage, surplus grass, saplings, weeds and other growths, and all trash, and to fill in all excavations and depressions thereon, and to limit the growth of grass, weeds, or bushes to no more than 12 inches in height.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
Miami's Code of Ordinances bars owners of any lot, improved or unimproved, from letting grass, weeds, or bushes grow over one foot high, along with trash, stagnant water, or dense underbrush that creates a fire hazard or menace to health (Sec. 22-116). Sec. 22-117 tightens the day-to-day standard to 12 inches and makes owners of rental units, homes, and businesses responsible for keeping premises clean. A code enforcement inspector mails notice and a deadline to correct; if the owner doesn't comply, the city clears the lot itself and bills a $150 administrative charge plus costs as a special assessment lien on the property, ranking equal to city and county property tax liens.
Violations & Fines
First offense triggers a written notice and correction deadline; ignoring it lets the city clear the lot and impose a $150+ lien with interest, enforceable through foreclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can grass or weeds get on my Miami property?
What happens if I ignore a lot-clearing notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
How Miami compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami 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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.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 Miami-Dade County handle weed ordinances.