Monroe County, FL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height
- Grass/weeds over 8 inches violate Sec. 21-19
- Mowing duty
- All commercial/residential lots, vacant or occupied
- Mulch depth cap
- 8 inches maximum (Sec. 21-20(c))
- Citation deadline
- 30 days to pay or contest
- Enforcement
- Sheriff, municipal police, code compliance officers
- Mowing exemption
- County-approved conservation management plan lots
Summary
In the unincorporated Florida Keys (Monroe County), grass and weeds counted as a code violation once they pass eight inches tall under Sec. 21-19, and Sec. 21-20 requires every commercial and residential lot, vacant or occupied, to be kept mowed. The only exceptions are subdivisions in public acquisition areas, publicly owned conservation lots, and private vacant lots under a county-approved management plan.
High grass and weeds means weeds and/or grass in excess of eight inches in height. ... (b)For the purposes of health, safety, and general welfare of the residents of the county, all commercial and residential lots, vacant or occupied, shall be kept mowed except that for subdivisions located within public acquisition areas, publicly owned vacant lots acquired for conservation and resource protection purposes and private vacant lots subject to a county approved management plan.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 21-19 of the Monroe County Code defines 'high grass and weeds' as weeds and/or grass in excess of eight inches in height, and Sec. 21-20(b) turns that definition into a duty: every commercial and residential lot in the unincorporated Keys, whether vacant or occupied, must be kept mowed. Sec. 21-20(a) adds a broader clearing requirement, covering debris, garbage, litter, and yard trash on both vacant and improved land, tied to the same health and safety findings. Sec. 21-20(c) separately caps mulching material at a depth of eight inches.
The exceptions to the mowing duty are narrow: subdivisions inside public acquisition areas, publicly owned vacant lots acquired for conservation and resource protection, and private vacant lots operating under a county-approved management plan. Enforcement runs through Sec. 21-23: the Monroe County Sheriff's deputies, municipal police, and code compliance officers can issue a citation stating the violation, the applicable penalty, and the 30-day deadline to pay or contest it in court. A citation that goes unpaid or uncontested for 30 days becomes a court judgment for the citation amount plus court costs, recording fees, and other charges.
The county can also sue in law or equity under Sec. 21-23(b) and recover its costs and attorney's fees if it prevails, on top of any code compliance board action under chapter 8.
Violations & Fines
An overgrown lot draws a citation from the sheriff's office or a code compliance officer under Sec. 21-23, which sets a 30-day window to pay the penalty or contest it in county court. Missing that deadline turns the citation into a court judgment covering the fine plus court costs and recording fees, and the county can pursue separate civil action and recover its attorney's fees if it has to sue to force compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my grass or weeds legally get in unincorporated Monroe County?
Does the mowing rule apply to vacant land, not just occupied homes?
What happens if I ignore a citation for tall grass?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monroe County
How Monroe County compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Monroe County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
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