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Code Enforcement - Yards (grass, hedges, etc.)
Yards (High Grass, Hedges, Sod, Tree Removal, Vacant Lot Mowing Program)
 Grass/weeds over 12” in height are a violation of the City’s codes.
All City rights-of-way shall be sodded and a permit is required for any type of work in the right-of-way (swale) area. For residents of Punta Gorda Isles and Burnt Store Isles, a minimum of 6’ of sod shall abut any seawall. No landscape areas shall be contoured to allow the washing of materials into canals or swales. Outfall pipes are not permitted to be attached to, rest on, or abut any seawall. For more information or to obtain a permit, contact Code Compliance at 941-575-3352.
Chapter 26, Section 8.5. Fences, Walls and Hedges.
Definitions:
Hedge is a group or row of closely planted vegetation that forms a physical or visual fence, screen
or boundary. A hedge can consist of any mixture of plant species that
grows to a height of 3 feet or more.
Landscape and xeriscape shall consist of grass, ground covers, shrubs, vines, hedges,
trees, berms and decorative material such as mulch, concrete curbing and rock.
Building and/or zoning permits are required for structural landscaping components
such as decks, landscape walls, pergolas, fountains and retaining walls, etc.
Visibility triangle. For purposes of this Section, the visibility triangle shall be the
triangular area formed by a diagonal line connecting two points measured from the
point of intersecting right-of-way lines 20 feet in each direction.
Hedges and fences are permitted in required yards in accordance with the
following restrictions:
(a) In single-family residential districts, including the Special Residential Overlay
District, hedges and other landscaping located in front yards shall be permitted
to any height except within any visibility triangle of any intersection or driveway.
- Hedges and landscaping shall not be planted in the City right-of-way.
Only sod is permitted to be located in the City right-of-way and requires a permit be obtained from
the Building Division.
- Hedges and landscaping within the visibility triangle shall be maintained at a height of
no more than 3 feet, or shall be removed or trimmed back from the visibility triangle or clear
visibility area to ensure public safety
concerns are addressed.
- Hedges and landscaping located near any driveway which creates a visual sight barrier for
vehicular or pedestrian traffic shall be maintained at a
height of 3 feet or less for a distance of 5 feet on each side of the driveway and a distance of 10
feet from the street yard property line measured toward the house or structure.
- Individual trees shall be permitted in the visibility triangle or visibility area provided
that foliage is cut away between 3 and 8 feet above the average grade of the road as measured at
the centerline. The placement
of multiple trees in the visibility area that impair visibility is not permitted.
- Hedges in side yards may not exceed 8 feet in eight. Areca Palms in side
yards planted prior to the date of adoption of this Section are exempt from this requirement but
must be maintained in a manner that prevents fronds from overhanging any property line.
- Hedges in rear yards of properties abutting a waterway may be of any
height but no hedges or other vegetation other than sod is permitted to
be placed or maintained within 6 feet of the seawall.
- On properties abutting a golf course, another lot or green belt, hedges in
the rear yard may be of any height.
- Hedges and all landscaped areas shall be maintained in a manner so no
portion of the hedge or vegetation overhangs any property line or fence
line.
- For residential properties adjacent to Burnt Store Road, a hedge or tree
row of any height shall be permitted to be placed in the yard closest to
the right-of-way to serve as a sound and sight barrier.
- Hedges and landscaping on all properties shall be maintained in a neat
and healthy condition, pruned or trimmed on a regular basis and
maintained free from uncontrolled overgrowth and free of debris, weeds,
insects, rodents, snakes or other types of pests and vermin.
- Failure to maintain any hedges or landscaping on any property shall be a
violation of this Section.
These restrictions are applicable only to single- family or duplex residences. Multi-family and
non-residential developments are subject to an approved landscape plan as part of the required
Development Review process.
A permit is required for the removal of trees. Contact Urban Design at 941-575-3372 or ubandesign@ci.punta-gorda.fl.us for more information or to obtain a permit. (click here for a tree removal permit)
The City has in place a Lot Mowing Program for most vacant lots. Contact Code Compliance at 941-575-3393 or pgcode@pgorda.us for more information.
Code Compliance
City Hall Annex
126 Harvey Street
Punta Gorda, FL. 33950
Tel. (941) 575-3352
Fax. (941) 575-3347
pgcode@pgorda.us
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