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Orlando, FL Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Standard
'Excessive accumulation or untended growth': no fixed height
Applies to
Any lot, tract, or parcel in the City
Notice period
15 days to remedy or appeal
Cleanup lien interest
8% per annum

Summary

Orlando bans letting weeds, undergrowth, or plant life accumulate excessively or grow untended on a lot when it endangers public health or breeds pests, under Section 14.22. The City can clean it and bill the owner after 15 days' notice.

The existence of excessive accumulation or untended growth of weeds, undergrowth or other dead or living plant life; or stagnant water, rubbish, garbage, refuse, debris, trash... upon any lot, tract or parcel of land within this City be it uncovered or under open shelter, to the extent and in the manner that such lot, tract or parcel of land is or may reasonably become infested or inhabited by rodents, vermin or wild animals, or may furnish a breeding place or mosquitoes, or threatens or endangers the public health, safety or welfare... is hereby prohibited and declared to be a public nuisance and unlawful unless neatly arranged for removal in accordance with directions of the Code Enforcement Division.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 92).

Full Breakdown

22 is Orlando's overgrown-lot rule. It prohibits and declares a public nuisance 'the existence of excessive accumulation or untended growth of weeds, undergrowth or other dead or living plant life' on any lot, tract, or parcel of land within the City, whether uncovered or under open shelter, when the condition reaches the extent that it may reasonably become infested or inhabited by rodents, vermin or wild animals, may furnish a mosquito breeding place, threatens or endangers public health, safety, or welfare, may reasonably cause disease, or adversely affects and impairs the economic welfare of adjacent property.

23 backs this with an affirmative duty on the owner of every lot to 'reasonably regulate and effectively control' such growth both on the property and on the adjoining right-of-way strip to the street. 24: the code official posts and mails notice to the owner of record (using Orange County Property Appraiser records for the address) describing the violation and giving 15 days to remedy it or file a written appeal contesting the nuisance finding. 26 turning the cost, an administrative charge, and interest at 8 percent annually into a special assessment lien recorded with the Clerk of Circuit Court.

Violations & Fines

Failure to cut or clear excessive weed and undergrowth accumulation within the 15-day notice window under Section 14.24 lets the City perform the cleanup under Section 14.25 and certify the cost, plus an administrative charge and any Section 14.27 penalty, to the Director of Finance; unpaid balances become an 8-percent-interest special assessment lien under Section 14.26, enforceable like a tax lien.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a maximum grass height in Orlando's ordinance?
No specific inch measurement. Section 14.22 bans 'excessive accumulation or untended growth' of weeds or plant life when it reaches the point of threatening public health, breeding pests or mosquitoes, or harming neighboring property values, rather than setting a fixed height trigger.
How much time do I get to mow before the City acts?
Section 14.24 requires the code official to post and mail notice giving the record owner 15 days from the date of notice to remedy the condition or submit a written appeal to the Code Enforcement Board.
What happens if I never cut it?
Under Section 14.25, if the 15 days pass with no cure and no appeal, the City clears the lot itself and, per Section 14.26, certifies the cost plus an administrative charge as a special assessment lien on the property, bearing 8 percent annual interest until paid.

Sources & Official References

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How Orlando compares: Cities with the Strictest Weed and Property Maintenance Rules·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Orlando to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview

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