§ 7.09.05. Removal of Exotic Vegetation.

A.

General.

1.

Any developer submitting a site plan for site plan approval or in conjunction with a Conditional Use Permit, Planned Unit Development, Planned Non-Residential Development, or Planned Mixed Use Development shall be required to remove, and chemically treat any remaining stumps, of all of the exotic vegetation listed as a "Category I" in the latest edition of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Councils "List of Invasive Species."

2.

No person shall plant or cause to be planted or permit to be planted, anywhere within the area of unincorporated St. Lucie County, any species listed as a "Category I" in the latest edition of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Councils "List of Invasive Species."

B.

Exotic Pest Plants; Maintenance and Removal.

1.

Nuisances declared and prohibited:

a.

It is found and declared to be expedient and necessary to the preservation of the public health, comfort, safety and welfare of the inhabitants of St. Lucie County that all lots in recorded subdivisions of St. Lucie County, outside of municipalities, be required to be kept free from any species listed as a "Category I" in the latest edition of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Councils "List of Invasive Species," which, by reason of height, proximity to neighboring structures, physical condition, or other peculiar characteristics, might cause damage to life or property within the immediate area surrounding the same. The existence of vegetation which create a hazard is declared to be a public nuisance. Erosion control measures or reseeding of the area from which the exotic vegetation was removed may be required.

b.

No person shall plant or cause to be planted or permit to be planted, anywhere within recorded subdivisions of unincorporated St. Lucie County, any species listed as "Category I" in the latest edition of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Councils "List of Invasive Species."

c.

Existing individual species listed as "Category 1" in the latest edition of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council's "List of Invasive Species" located within recorded subdivisions of unincorporated St. Lucie County shall be maintained at a height not to exceed the distance between the tree and the nearest property line, minus ten (10) feet. The existence of any such trees is hereby declared to be a public nuisance.

(Ord. No. 16-004 , Pt. A, 3-1-2016)