Top-rated landscapers in Pompano Beach, FL

Pompano Beach runs its own tree permits and watering schedule, plus a reclaimed water system, OASIS, that single-family homes can join at no upfront cost. This guide covers what's specific to the city. For zones, statewide grasses and licensing, see the Florida guide.

Tree permits in Pompano Beach

The city's Office of Urban Forestry handles tree permits. Its Tree Permit Application FAQ sets the rules:

• What needs a permit: removing or relocating a tree, plus land clearing and demolition.
• Palms count: all palms are protected and need a permit to remove or relocate.
• Invasive trees too: they get a no-fee permit, but the whole canopy and root system must come out, and replacement mitigation applies.
• Cost: free for owner-occupied single-family homes and duplexes, which can apply as owner-builder. Fees double for work done without a permit.
• Paperwork: the application, a survey or site plan showing the trees, and a tree assessment by an ISA Certified Arborist listing each tree's species, size, condition and dollar value.
• Replacement: mitigation means planting trees back on site, or paying into the Tree Canopy Trust Fund where that applies.

Per the city's permit instructions, processing takes up to 10 business days, and Urban Forestry may inspect the site and set replacement trees then (954-786-7825). Under section 163.045 of the Florida Statutes, a single-family home needs no local permit or mitigation for a tree that an ISA certified arborist or Florida-licensed landscape architect documents as an unacceptable risk.

Trimming: no permit, but a licensed trimmer

Per the city's tree trimming FAQ, trimming needs no city permit, but it must follow arborist standards and be done by a Broward County licensed tree trimmer. The city prohibits tree abuse, including hatracking, flush cuts, stubs, climbing spikes and removing live palm fronds above the horizontal. The "hurricane" or "candle" cut on palms counts as abuse, and abused trees may have to be replaced. The county's Know the Law flyer says the license must be available at each worksite.

Watering days

City of Pompano Beach water customers follow the city's irrigation schedule, watering only before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m.:

• Odd-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Saturday.
• Even-numbered addresses: Thursday and Sunday.
• New landscaping, first 30 days: every day except Friday.
• New landscaping, 30 to 90 days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.

The city's water conservation page says rain sensors are mandatory on automatic systems under state law. The city and Broward County offer first-come, first-served rebates on WaterSense smart controllers and pressure-regulating spray bodies. Questions: (954) 545-7015.

OASIS reclaimed water

OASIS (Our Alternative Supply Irrigation System) takes treated water from Broward County's North Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, treats it further at the city's reuse plant, and pipes it in separate purple pipes to homes in Pompano Beach and Lighthouse Point. Per the city's fact sheet:

• No upfront cost for single-family homes. You sign one form, a licensed plumber pulls the permit and installs by underground boring, and the city inspects.
• Any day: reuse customers can water any day, outside 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cheaper water: it costs less than drinking water and carries no sewer charge.
• Less fertilizer: it contains some nitrogen and phosphorus.

The city's reuse water report says not to use it for pools or hot tubs, building connections such as water-cooled air conditioning, or indoor use. The network is still growing, starting closest to the plant and along the saltwater intrusion line, so check the reuse map. Sign-up needs a notarized Hold Harmless Agreement: call the OASIS hotline at (954) 324-8434.

Fertilizer rules

The city's fertilizer page, which cites section 155.5205 of its code, says:

• No fertilizer within 10 feet of water bodies.
• Skip it during a flood watch, a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning, or when 2 inches or more of rain is expected in 24 hours.
• Phosphorus: choose fertilizer with little to none.

Yard rules for homes

The city's landscape plan review FAQ says single-family homes don't need an approved landscape plan or a landscape architect. Owners maintain the landscaping in the abutting swale and right-of-way. In sight visibility triangles, at street corners and in the rear yards of waterfront lots, hedges, fences and walls can't exceed 3 feet.

Contractors shouldn't blow clippings into the street or dump fronds in canals, per the city's lawn service tips. Weekly bulk pickup takes yard trimmings and branches up to 4 cubic yards, but not large trunks, stumps, roots or sod.

Local help: Broward County Extension

The UF/IFAS Extension Broward County help desk is at 3245 College Ave. in Davie. Master Gardeners answer questions at (954) 756-8533 or [email protected]: plant, insect and disease ID, turf problems and watering. The office gives one free soil kit, and the UF/IFAS soil test costs $34.95. 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 Pompano Beach

• Get two or three written quotes with the scope, materials and timeline spelled out.
• For removals, including palms, confirm who files the city tree permit and the arborist assessment, and what replacement planting is required.
• For trimming, ask to see the Broward County tree trimmer license, and rule out hatracking and hurricane-cut palms.
• For irrigation, have the controller set to your watering days, with a working rain sensor, and check the reuse map to see whether OASIS reaches your street.
• For fertilizing, confirm the crew keeps 10 feet from water and skips storm watches.
• For cleanup, agree on who hauls stumps, roots and sod, since bulk pickup won't take them.