Last updated: September 30, 2026
If you only remember three things, remember these. In the City of Orlando, the three most common landscaping jobs that DO need a permit are: removing a tree 6 inches or more in diameter, building a fence taller than 6 feet or any masonry or concrete fence or wall, and pouring new concrete or laying pavers for a driveway, patio, or walkway. Here is how each work type breaks down, with links to the official pages these rules came from.
One more thing before you dig. City limits and unincorporated Orange County have different rules and different offices. Inside city limits, use Orlando Permitting Services. In unincorporated Orange County, start at the Do I Need a Permit page.
Do you need a permit for a retaining wall in Orlando?
Most likely, yes. In the city, any wall of concrete, masonry or block, including posts or any concrete or rebar reinforcement, requires a permit. In unincorporated Orange County, residential walls of brick, stucco, structural walls or concrete columns need a building permit. Neither portal publishes a simple height cutoff, so don’t assume the common 4 foot rule of thumb applies.
Neither portal publishes a simple height cutoff for residential retaining walls, so do not assume the common 4 foot rule of thumb applies here. Check with Orlando Permitting Services before building. What we can confirm at source: in the city, any wall of concrete, masonry, or block, including posts or any concrete or rebar reinforcement, requires a permit (Apply for a Fence Permit). In unincorporated Orange County, residential walls of brick, stucco, structural walls, or concrete columns require a building permit (Orange County Fence Permit). Most retaining walls will land in permit territory under those rules.
Do you need a permit to build a fence in Orlando?
Inside the city, no permit is needed for a wood, vinyl, chain link or aluminum fence 6 feet or under on a standard lot. You do need one if it’s taller than 6 feet, masonry, a required pool barrier, on a corner lot, backing an alley or touching a public easement. In unincorporated Orange County, every fence needs a permit.
In the city, no permit is needed for a wood, vinyl, chain link, aluminum, or similar fence 6 feet or under on a standard lot. You DO need a permit if the fence is taller than 6 feet, is concrete, masonry, or block, serves as a required pool or spa barrier, sits on a corner lot, backs an alley, or touches a public easement (Apply for a Fence Permit). In unincorporated Orange County, all fences need a permit: 6 feet and under go through a zoning fence permit, and anything over 6 feet or masonry needs a building permit (Do I Need a Permit). County fence permits expire 180 days after approval (Orange County Fence Permit).
Orange County is blunt: anytime you pour concrete or place pavers, a permit is required, and pavers alone need a zoning permit (Do I Need a Permit). Decks, pergolas, and gazebos are accessory structures that require a permit, with a simplified zoning permit path for structures of 120 square feet or less (Residential Accessory Structures). In the city, driveway and paver projects go through permitting with impervious surface ratio calculations, and note that artificial turf is not allowed within 50 feet of a water body (Residential Permitting Requirements). A state law effective July 1, 2026 can exempt qualifying single family work valued under $7,500, but you must apply first (Residential Building Permit Exemption).
Do you need a permit to install an irrigation system in Orlando?
In unincorporated Orange County, a new or replacement underground irrigation system requires an irrigation (plumbing) permit. Inside city limits, plumbing work is permitted through Permitting Services. Backflow prevention isn’t optional either: state environmental rules require a device on any property with irrigation, and OUC installs and tests residential devices for a $4 monthly fee.
In unincorporated Orange County, a new or replacement underground irrigation system requires an irrigation (plumbing) permit (Do I Need a Permit). Inside city limits, plumbing work is permitted through Permitting Services (Plumbing and Gas Permit Forms). Backflow prevention is not optional: state environmental rules require a backflow device on any property with irrigation, whatever the water source, and OUC installs and tests residential devices for a $4 monthly fee (OUC Backflow).
When does tree removal need a permit in Orlando?
When the trunk is 6 inches or more in diameter measured at 4.5 feet above ground. The city’s residential application fee is $25, and required replacement trees must go in within 60 days. Removing a specimen or historic tree without a permit can bring a fine of up to $15,000. Unincorporated Orange County regulates listed trees 8 inches and up.
The city protects trees with a trunk diameter of 6 inches or more measured at 4.5 feet above ground, and removing one requires a Tree Removal Permit (Tree Preservation Ordinance 2020-13). Historic trees, defined as healthy trees 30 inches DBH or more, carry the highest protection, and removing a specimen or historic tree without a permit can bring a fine of up to $15,000 (same ordinance). On residential property, no permit is needed if a TRAQ certified arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect documents that the tree is dangerous. The application fee is $25 residential, $50 per acre commercial, and required replacement trees must go in within 60 days (Apply for a Tree Removal Permit). In unincorporated Orange County, regulated trees are 8 inches DBH or greater on the county species list (Orange County Tree Removal Permit). Once the permit side is settled, our tree service in Orlando covers pruning, palm work and removal.
In the city, any project that increases impervious area or changes existing elevations or surface drainage patterns requires a grading plan and stormwater calculations prepared by a professional engineer, plus a topographic survey (Residential Permitting Requirements). County accessory structure permits likewise require a lot grading and drainage plan (same county page).
This is general guidance, not legal advice – confirm with Orlando Permitting Services before starting work.
Last Updated: July 2026
FAQ
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in my Orlando backyard?
If the trunk is 6 inches or more in diameter at 4.5 feet up, yes, unless a TRAQ certified arborist or Florida licensed landscape architect documents the tree as dangerous. The residential application fee is $25.
Do I need a permit for a standard 6 foot privacy fence?
Inside city limits, usually no for wood or vinyl at 6 feet or under, unless you are on a corner lot, back an alley, touch an easement, or need it as a pool barrier. In unincorporated Orange County, every fence needs at least a zoning permit.
Do pavers really need a permit?
In unincorporated Orange County, yes: pavers need a zoning permit and poured concrete a full permit. In the city, hardscape is reviewed against impervious surface limits, so check before you build.
—
*Method and sources: This guide was compiled by Orlando Pro Landscape from the following official pages, each loaded and verified in July 2026:*
- https://www.orlando.gov/Building-Development/Permits-Inspections/Other/Apply-for-a-Fence-Permit
- https://www.orlando.gov/Parks-the-Environment/Trees/Apply-for-a-Tree-Removal-or-Encroachment-Permit
- https://www.orlando.gov/Building-Development/Permits-Inspections/Get-a-Permit/Permitting-Checklists/Residential-Permitting-Requirements
- https://www.orlando.gov/Building-Development/Permits-Inspections/Apply-for-Residential-Building-Permit-Exemption
- https://www.orlando.gov/Building-Development/Permits-Inspections/Get-a-Permit/Forms-Documents/Plumbing-and-Gas-Forms
- https://orlando.novusagenda.com/AgendaPublic/AttachmentViewer.ashx?AttachmentID=92967&ItemID=50991 (City of Orlando Tree Preservation Ordinance 2020-13)
- https://www.orangecountyfl.net/PermitsLicenses/DoINeedaPermit.aspx
- https://www.orangecountyfl.net/PermitsLicenses/Permits/FencePermit.aspx
- https://www.orangecountyfl.net/PermitsLicenses/Permits/TreeRemovalPermit.aspx
- https://www.ocfl.net/PermitsLicenses/Permits/ResidentialAccessoryStructures.aspx
- https://www.ouc.com/about/water-services/backflow/