Top-rated landscapers in Clearwater, FL

Clearwater requires a permit to remove most trees 4 inches or more in diameter, assigns its own watering days, runs a reclaimed water system and makes contractors haul away their own yard debris. Fertilizer follows Pinellas County's rules. For zones, statewide grasses and licensing, see the Florida guide.

Tree permits in Clearwater

Clearwater's tree removal page says a permit is required to remove any protected tree, and the threshold is low:

• Protected trees: any nonhazardous tree 4 inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH).
• Palms: protected once they have 10 feet of clear, straight trunk.
• Replacement: encouraged for homes rather than required. Replacement trees can't be citrus or invasive species, and can't go in the public right-of-way, the green strip usually between the sidewalk and the road.

The application checklist sets the process. First confirm you're in the city: the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's tax district should read Clearwater, CW, CWD or CWDO. The fee is $15 for one to five trees plus $3 for each additional tree, a city arborist inspects within 1 to 3 business days, and approved trees must come down within six months. The city recommends an ISA certified arborist and an insured contractor, who can pull the permit; a homeowner can apply too, with proof of residency, but takes on more liability. Tree services apply online and need a city Business Tax Receipt. Questions: (727) 562-4567 or [email protected].

If you remove a tree under the state's dangerous-tree exemption instead, Solid Waste staff may ask for the arborist's letter before hauling the debris.

In the right-of-way, Public Works works with certified arborists to assess trees and prioritize maintenance, and you can report a problem tree online.

Fertilizer: Pinellas County's rules

The City of Clearwater points residents to Pinellas County's seasonal restrictions. The county ordinance bans nitrogen and phosphorus on lawns and landscapes from June 1 through September 30, and retailers can't sell them then either. Year-round, it requires a soil test before any phosphorus, at least 50 percent slow-release nitrogen in granular products, and a 10-foot fertilizer-free zone from water bodies, seawalls and wetlands. It also bans fertilizing during storm or flood watches and warnings, or when 2 inches of rain or more is forecast within 24 hours.

Watering and reclaimed water

Clearwater sets its own watering days, not the district's address-digit schedule. Under a Modified Phase III water shortage order from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, for example:

• Even addresses (or last names A to M): Wednesday.
• Odd, mixed or no address (or N to Z): Thursday.
• Sprinkler hours: midnight to 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. to midnight; lots under one acre get one of the two.
• Hand watering and micro-irrigation for shrubs, gardens and other non-lawn plants: any day before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
• New lawns and landscaping: any day for the first 30 days, then three set days a week through day 60.

Days and hours change when the district's orders change, so check with the city's water conservation hotline, (727) 562-4960, option 7.

Several neighborhoods are on the city's reclaimed water system, which can run any day but not between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Call Utility Customer Service at (727) 562-4600 to check availability; if your street isn't served, there's a petition form to request it. The county notes that reclaimed water already contains nutrients, so cut fertilizer accordingly.

Yard waste: contractors haul their own

The city collects yard waste weekly on your trash day, but only what the property owner cut and gathered. Debris from a tree service or landscaper must be removed by that company. Your own limbs go out in 4-foot lengths, no more than 24 hours before pickup.

Beachfront and flooded yards

On Gulf beach lots seaward of the state's coastal construction control line, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection says native dune plants such as sea oats and seagrapes can't be cut down or damaged without a CCCL permit. Normal trimming that doesn't harm them, and work on ornamental or non-native plants, doesn't need one.

After salty or brackish flooding, UF/IFAS Pinellas Extension advises flushing the root zone with fresh water, rinsing foliage and waiting for new growth before pruning. On flood-prone sites, choose plants that tolerate flooding or salt.

Local help: Pinellas County Extension

The UF/IFAS Pinellas County Extension office is at 12520 Ulmerton Rd. in Largo, (727) 582-2100. Its plant help desk takes emailed questions and photos at [email protected]. Soil tests aren't run locally: samples are mailed to the UF/IFAS lab. Master Gardener volunteers hold a plant clinic on the second Saturday of each month at Folly Farms in nearby Safety Harbor. See also how to test your lawn soil.

What it costs

Quotes vary with lot size, access and the work. These national ranges from our cost guides are a starting point:

• Tree removal: about $385 to $1,070 for most trees, and more for very large or hard-to-reach ones. See tree removal costs.
• Tree trimming: about $430 to $640 per tree on average. See tree trimming costs.
• Lawn care: monthly plans about $100 to $500, mowing about $44 to $71 per visit. See lawn care costs.
• Sprinkler system: about $1,600 to $3,600 installed. See sprinkler system costs.

Hiring a pro in Clearwater

• Get two or three written quotes with the scope, materials and timeline spelled out.
• For tree removal, ask who pulls the city permit, and for a risk-based removal, keep the arborist's letter.
• Make debris removal part of the quote, since the city won't collect what a contractor cuts.
• For fertilizing, expect no nitrogen or phosphorus from June 1 to September 30, and nothing within 10 feet of water.
• For irrigation, have the controller set to your Clearwater watering day and hours, or reclaimed water hours.
• Before digging, make sure someone contacts Sunshine 811, as covered in the Florida guide.