Artificial Turf

The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a replacement for artificial turf or natural turf on the ground shall be prohibited.

Artificial turf shall meet the following standards:

• Consist of green lifelike individual blades of grass that emulate natural turf in look and color except where artificial turf is used in Parks and Recreation Facilities and athletic fields
• Residential Installations: Minimum pile height of 1.5 inches
• Commercial installations: Minimum pile height of 0.5 inches
• Specialty turf installations in residential zones may be approved with a shorter pile height by the Community Development Director
• Minimum face weight: 50 ounces per square yard
• Minimum manufacturer’s warranty: 8 years; must include protection against color fading and decrease in pile height
• Flame Retardant
• PFAS Free
•  Lead Free

A building permit is required to install artificial turf, and there is a permit application fee of $200.

An Artificial Turf Application(PDF, 517KB) must be submitted with other required plans and documentation. This information is found in the application and is provided below.

• Landscape Plan or Property Survey including the following:
  
  • Residential Landscaped Area (required if installing artificial turf in the front yard; note, some properties, such as corner lots, may have multiple front yards if located along multiple rights-of-way)
  • Location and type of barrier device used to separate artificial turf from live plant materials (onsite or adjacent property, as applicable)
  • Property Lines
  • Rights-of-Way Lines
  • Easement Lines
  • Existing and Proposed Grades
  • Existing and Nearby Trees (Trees within X feet of the edge of artificial turf installation)
  • Drainage Features
  • Utilities
  • Any Other Existing Features.
• Tree Preservation Plan required if trees are located on or overhanging the property where artificial turf is being installed.
• Scaled Edge Detail or Cross Section similar to the one depicted below.
• Manufacturer’s specifications, including installation instructions and product warranty.
• Documentation showing that the product is lead and PFAS free.
• Photo/Image of product being installed to confirm product meets all standards.
• Verification of materials used for leveling and subbase layers, consistent with requirements for pervious installations, if applicable.
• Completed Impervious Surface Ratio (ISR) Worksheet

Installation Information:

All artificial turf shall, at a minimum, be installed according to the manufacturer's specifications. Additionally, installation must comply with the following requirements.

• Tree preservation and protection requirements pursuant to CDC Section 3-1206.
• Drainage shall be designed so that stormwater is discharged in a manner that does not adversely affect adjacent lots, rights-of-way (ROW), and/or other downstream or upstream properties and shall follow historic flow paths in the watershed.
• Barrier device(s) (e.g. concrete mow strip, bender board, brick pavers) must be used to separate artificial turf from live plant materials.
• Seams shall be installed using a combination of seaming tape and glue with the grain of each piece of artificial turf running in the same direction.
• All edges shall be secured with staples or nails, trimmed to fit against all regular and irregular edges to resemble a natural look and tucked in and anchored.
• Artificial turf shall be pinned or staked behind the seawall.
• Only clean silica sand or a sand-based product with no plastic pellets or crumb rubber may be used for infill.
• Only Parks & Recreation Facilities and athletic fields may use crumb rubber.

Artificial turf installed by residential property owners will be treated as impervious and count towards the property’s impervious surface ratio (ISR).

Artificial turf installed by a licensed general contractor or professional with experience in installation of artificial turf will be treated as pervious if the following installation standards are met:

• Backing must be dual flow or hole punched to allow for drainage.
• Leveling layer consisting of one inch of decomposed limestone or granite required for nonresidential installations.
• Subbase layer consisting of four inches or more of clean stone, which consists of washed granite or limestone that meets FDOT #4, #57, or #89 stone specifications; a minimum size of ⅜ to 1 inch stone is required.
• Underlying soil must remain uncompacted.

Inspection Information:

A final inspection is required to close out the building permit. Since this is done after installation, pictures must be taken every step of the process to provide evidence that the installation was done in accordance with all provisions of the Community Development Code.

Photo/Image evidence shall be provided of each layer, including the base. Sample images are provided within the application to illustrate the types of photos required.

Artificial turf shall be maintained by the property owner in a green fadeless condition and free of dirt, mud, sand, stains, odors, weeds, debris, tears, holes, seam separations, excessive wear, and impressions. This may require the following:

• Regular rinsing with water to wash away pollen and seeds
• Brushing to keep the blades upright and protect against damage
• Removal of accumulated debris
• Repair of depressions and ruts to maintain a visually smooth surface
• Elimination of odors or weeds
• Ensuring edges are tucked and staked.

Artificial turf must be maintained in a manner so that stormwater drainage does not adversely affect adjacent lots, rights-of-way, and/or other downstream or upstream properties and allows historical flow paths in the watershed to continue and function.

Artificial turf must be replaced if it falls into disrepair with fading/discoloration, excessive wear, holes, seam separations, heat degradation, or surfaces that are no longer level due to depressions, ruts, air pockets, or loose areas

Repair or replacement of artificial turf requires a building permit. If the current installation is not in compliance with current regulations, it must be brought into conformance to the greatest extent practicable.

Note: The “enactment date” included in Ordinance 9805-25, proposed Section 3-1203.H. Existing Artificial Turf incorrectly used March 20, 2025 as the enactment date. This should read April 17, 2025, which is the date that City Council adopted this ordinance.

Several properties had installed artificial turf before it was permitted in the city. These nonconforming installations will be permitted to stay under the following conditions:

• Property owners must provide evidence demonstrating that the artificial turf was installed before April 17, 2025. This may be in the form of a receipt from the installer, or other evidence. Contact the city’s Planning & Development Department for questions.
• Artificial turf installed in the right-of-way before April 17, 2025, requires an after-the-fact right-of-way permit. The City Engineer will determine if the artificial turf may remain or if it must be removed. Contact the city’s Public Works Department for questions on rights-of-way permits.

All properties must comply with the maintenance standards (provided above).

Existing artificial turf will count towards the calculation of a property’s impervious surface ratio (ISR) for the purpose of future development and permitting. This may impact future improvements.

Additional modifications to these developed lots may be required if the property meets one of the conditions provided in CDC Section 3-1202.A.3.

Where can artificial turf be installed?

Artificial turf may be installed:

• On both residential and nonresidential properties.
• On approved concrete patios, porches, and rooftop patios or decks without a permit.
• In lieu of plant materials required in CDC Section 3-1202.B for Parks and Recreation Facilities and athletic fields.
• Installation around existing trees may be restricted to ensure tree roots are not damaged with the installation of the base material or artificial turf and that the overall health of the tree will not be compromised.

Where is artificial turf prohibited?

Artificial turf shall not be installed in the following areas:

• In a right-of-way unless approved by the City Engineer. A city right-of-way permit must be obtained before commencement of work.
• In permanent drainage features such as drainage swales or ponds unless otherwise approved by the City Engineer.
• In perimeter buffers required by CDC Section 3-1202.D or vegetative buffers adjacent to the Preservation District or jurisdictional wetlands required by CDC Section 3- 907.A.
• In interior or central landscape islands in parking lots consistent with CDC Section 3-1202.E.
• In any area that is used for the parking or driving of motor vehicles.
• No artificial turf or installation mechanism shall be attached directly to or placed on a seawall or seawall cap.

What if my artificial turf becomes damaged and/or needs repair?

Repair of artificial turf areas must:

• Be authorized through an approved building permit.
• Use like for like materials from the same manufacturer; if not possible, must use the most similar material that meets the city’s standards (provide evidence with building permit application)
• Results in a repair that blends in with the existing artificial turf.

Repair or replacement of artificial turf that is not in compliance with current regulations must be brought into conformance to the greatest extent practicable.