Landscaping in Clearwater, Florida
A yard on Clearwater Beach faces salt and sea turtle rules. A yard in a neighborhood like Countryside has other limits. The city's watering and reclaimed water rules apply to both.
Around Clearwater Beach, Countryside and nearby
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Beach side and mainland yards
Clearwater has two kinds of yard. Beach properties sit nearest the water and get the most salt and wind. Mainland and inland properties see less salt spray and can use a wider plant list.
For any site within roughly an eighth of a mile of salt water, choose at least somewhat salt-tolerant plants, and expect coastal soils to be sandy and high in pH. Bougainvillea, sea oats and wax myrtle are examples. Native choices also include beach sunflower, sea grape and muhly grass.
For grass, Bahia is very poor for salt and centipede is poor, while St. Augustine and zoysia are good. A beach lot usually points to St. Augustine or zoysia, and never to a lawn watered with salty water.
Clearwater's watering rules
Clearwater's current rules date from September 23, 2026. Under the district order, which runs through March 31, 2027 unless modified or rescinded, established lawns can use sprinklers one day a week between midnight and 4 a.m. or 8 p.m. and midnight. Even-numbered addresses (also A to M) water on Wednesday. Odd-numbered addresses (N to Z), and mixed or no-address properties, water on Thursday.
Hand watering, drip and micro-irrigation of shrubs, food gardens and other non-turf plants is allowed any day before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. New lawns and landscaping get a 60-day period: any day for days 1 to 30, then three set days a week.
Reclaimed water
Clearwater customers on reclaimed water can irrigate any day of the week, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m., with no limit on days per week. That makes reclaimed water a real advantage for a larger lawn, if it is available on your street. The city has a reclaimed water availability page.
Violations in this phase can be cited without a warning. The city lists a water conservation hotline and a code compliance office.
Sea turtle lighting on the beach
Nesting season on Pinellas County beaches runs May 1 to October 31. Clearwater asks beachfront residents to keep outdoor lights low or off and to switch to sea turtle-friendly fixtures, and to use window treatments that keep interior light from reaching the sand.
The county says most of its beach communities have ordinances against lighting that casts glare onto the beach in nesting season. Landscape lights near the dune or the beach walkway fall under that. The lighting page explains the FWC fixture guidance.
Fertilizer in Clearwater
The city lists June 1 through September 30 as a restricted season for fertilizer. Pinellas County's ordinance, which lists the same dates, also caps annual nitrogen at 4 pounds per 1,000 square feet and asks for no nitrogen on new turf for 30 days. If the plan has a fertilizer step in summer, ask how it fits.
What to ask your landscaper
Good questions for your landscaper:
- Is the property on the beach side or the mainland, and how does that change the plant list?
- Is reclaimed water available at this address, and does the irrigation use it?
- For a beach lot, how will the lighting plan avoid glare on the sand?
- How will new sod or plants be watered under the city's 60-day rule?
- Does an HOA or condo association need to approve the work?
Clearwater questions
When can I irrigate with reclaimed water?
The city allows reclaimed water any day of the week, before 10 a.m. or after 4 p.m. Check that your street has service.
Which grass works on Clearwater Beach?
St. Augustine and zoysia suit most home lawns, and both tolerate some salt spray. The sod page compares them.
Do I need a design for a beach yard?
A plan that accounts for wind, salt and lighting rules is worth having. See the design page.
Ready when you are
Call now, or send the form. A local pro calls you back, usually the same business day.
Calls are recorded for quality assurance.