Seminole County, FL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Obstruction Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Removal deadline
- 10 days from notice
- Sight triangle
- 25 ft from intersection
- Obstruction height band
- 2-6 feet
- Notice method
- Certified mail
- Enforcing official
- County Traffic Engineer
Summary
Seminole County makes it unlawful to plant or maintain trees, shrubs or plants in the right-of-way that damage or hazard a sidewalk, street, curb or utility line, or that block traffic sight lines. Owners get ten days' notice to remove the hazard before the County does it and bills them.
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to plant or maintain any tree, shrub or plant within any right-of-way of the County or on private property abutting County right-of-way, located in such a manner as to constitute a hazard to traffic safety.(b)It shall be unlawful for any person to plant or maintain any tree, shrub or plant within any right-of-way of the County, or on private property abutting County right-of-way, in such a manner as to damage or constitute a hazard to any street, sidewalk, curb, driveway, water line, sewer line or any other public utility.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 Update 1 | Land Development Code: Supplement 2).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 90 splits the rule in two: subsection (a) bars planting or maintaining any tree, shrub or plant within County right-of-way, or on private property abutting it, in a manner that constitutes a traffic safety hazard. Subsection (b) separately bars plantings that damage or hazard a street, sidewalk, curb, driveway, water line, sewer line or other public utility. Once the County Traffic Engineer determines, after an engineering and traffic investigation, that a planting creates either hazard, the abutting property owner has ten days from notice to remove it at no cost to the County under Sec.
94(a). A companion rule at Sec. 91 bars any fence, wall, hedge or planting between two and six feet high within the sight triangle at a corner lot, measured 25 feet from the intersection of the street property lines. Notice must go by certified mail under Sec. 92, stating the Engineer's findings and advising the owner of a right to appeal to the Board of County Commissioners within ten days by filing a notice of appeal with the Office of the County Traffic Engineer. The Traffic Engineer may grant an extension for good cause under Sec. 93.
Violations & Fines
If the owner does not remove the hazard within the notice period, the County may take corrective action itself, including demolition, burning or clearing, and assess the cost as a lien against the property under Sec. 250.94(d), collectible the same way as a tax lien, with interest and attorney's fees. Owners may request a hearing before the Board of County Commissioners to contest the cost, but not the underlying removal order, per Sec. 250.94(e).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Seminole County make me remove a tree blocking a sidewalk?
How is the sight triangle measured at a corner lot?
What happens if I ignore the County's removal notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seminole County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Seminole County to another location·View the Florida sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.