20 local rules on file · Pop. 980 · Martin County
Showing ordinances that apply to Rio, FL
Rio is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 980 in Martin County, Florida. Because Rio is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Martin County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Martin County may have different rules.
Martin County prohibits keeping chickens and other barnyard animals in most residential zoning districts. Under Land Development Regulations Section 3.206, household pets exclude pigs, goats, sheep, horses, cows, and poultry. In June 2022, county commissioners declined to amend the ordinance to permit backyard chickens in residential zones.
Martin County Code section 9.90 requires that dogs in unincorporated Martin County be restrained by a leash, chain, or other similar device when off the owner's property. Working and hunting dogs under direct voice command of the owner are exempt.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Martin County ordinances.
Under Martin County Code section 67.305, construction, repair, alteration, or demolition work on buildings, structures, roads, or projects is prohibited between 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. unless a variance under section 67.308 has been obtained for good cause shown.
Martin County's fireworks rules are codified at Code of Ordinances Ch. 79, Art. 6 (sections 79.221 et seq.), which adopts and supplements Florida Statutes ch. 791. Public fireworks displays require a permit from Martin County Fire Prevention.
Recreational fires — campfires, bonfires, and backyard fire pits — are allowed in Martin County without a county permit, but must be no larger than 3 feet in diameter, limited to 1 cubic yard of burnable material, and located at least 25 feet from any structure or combustible material (per Martin County Fire Rescue Open Burn Guidelines and NFPA 1).
Open and yard-waste burning in unincorporated Martin County is regulated by Martin County Fire Rescue under Ch. 79 (Fire Prevention), NFPA 1 Ch. 10, and Florida Statutes ch. 590. Burning is permitted only when the Fire Danger Index is low or moderate and may require a permit.
Storage and parking of recreational vehicles — including boat trailers, camping trailers, travel trailers, motorized dwellings, and tent trailers — on residential lots is regulated under Martin County Land Development Regulations (LDR) Article 3, Division 2, section 3.201(c)(2).
Under Martin County Code Ch. 115 (Motor Vehicles and Traffic), no person may leave a salvage, junked, or abandoned vehicle on any road, street, alley, highway, or public easement in unincorporated Martin County, and no property owner may allow such a vehicle to remain on private property longer than 5 days outside an area zoned for such storage.
Martin County's year-round Landscape Irrigation Ordinance (effective June 12, 2022) implements the South Florida Water Management District's two-day-per-week schedule. Odd-numbered addresses water Wednesday and/or Saturday; even-numbered addresses water Thursday and/or Sunday. No irrigation is allowed between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
Under Martin County Code section 67.201.A, excessive accumulation of untended growth of weeds, undergrowth, or other dead or living plant life exceeding 18 inches in height is declared a public nuisance and is a common code enforcement violation.
Tree removal on established single-family residential lots in unincorporated Martin County is generally NOT regulated by the county unless the trees are in preservation areas, required landscape areas, or county rights-of-way. Mangroves are regulated separately by the Florida DEP under Fla. Stat. 403.9321-403.9333.
Martin County adopted a comprehensive-plan amendment on February 24, 2026 to permit accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on single-family lots, replacing the older 'guest house' term. ADUs are capped at 850 square feet (or half the primary dwelling area, whichever is less) and must be built on a concrete foundation or slab.
Martin County requires a building permit to install a pre-manufactured shed with or without a slab. Sheds must comply with the Land Development Regulations Art. 3, Div. 2 (sec. 3.12, Table 3.12.1) for setbacks, lot coverage, and accessory-structure standards, and with the Florida Building Code.
Residential pool barriers in Martin County must meet the Florida Residential Swimming Pool Safety Act (Fla. Stat. ch. 515) and Martin County Code Ch. 21, Pt. 2, Art. 8 (Swimming Pools, Spas and Hot Tubs). Barriers must be at least 48 inches high with no gaps greater than 4 inches, and gate latches at least 54 inches above grade.
A Martin County Building Department permit is required for any residential swimming pool, spa, or hot tub installation, and a separate permit is required for the pool barrier (fence). Construction must comply with Martin County Code Ch. 21, Pt. 2, Art. 8 and the Florida Building Code.
Martin County enforces a Floodplain Management Ordinance under Land Development Regulations Article 4, Division 10 (Flood Protection). Within Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), the lowest finished floor of any new or substantially improved structure must be at least 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).
Martin County enforces Stormwater Management and Flood Protection Standards as part of its Land Development Regulations. Development projects must provide on-site stormwater treatment and attenuation meeting both county and South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) criteria.
Martin County has no separate county ordinance mandating shutter installation timing, but the Florida Building Code requires all new construction and replacement openings in wind-borne debris regions to have impact-rated protection (impact glazing or approved shutters). Martin County is in a wind-borne debris region with design wind speeds of 150-170 mph.
In Special Flood Hazard Areas, Martin County requires the lowest finished floor of any new or substantially improved structure to be at least 1 foot above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). This is codified in the Land Development Regulations Article 4, Division 10 (Flood Protection).