Leon County, FL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Rather than a separate noxious-weed statute, Leon County regulates weeds and overgrowth through the same Lot Mowing Ordinance that governs grass: vegetation on lots in the unincorporated area must not exceed 18 inches in height (Code of Laws Ordinance 04-11, amended by Ordinance 04-41). The ordinance applies to lots whether improved or unimproved. Weed and overgrowth complaints follow the standard code-compliance process—complaint intake, an inspection generally within 48-72 hours, a violation notice oriented toward voluntary compliance, and a 15-day follow-up inspection. No fine is assessed at the initial notice stage. Persistent overgrowth is referred to the Code Enforcement Board, which acts under the legal-notice and due-process requirements of Florida Statutes Chapter 162 and can impose daily fines and liens, and the County may abate the overgrowth and lien the cost. Note that Florida's Florida-Friendly Landscaping law (Fla. Stat. 373.185) limits how local governments and HOAs can prohibit drought-tolerant or native landscaping. These rules govern unincorporated Leon County; the City of Tallahassee is separate.