§ 5.5.9 — Prohibited vegetation

Section 5.5.9. - Prohibited vegetation.

A. The following invasive exotic plants are prohibited and shall be removed from the development site, in its entirety. For projects developed in phases, all invasive exotic plants shall be removed from areas to be developed under future phases at the time the first or any subsequent phase is developed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, invasive exotic plants may be removed from public parks and recreational facilities in accordance with a phasing plan or an invasive exotic plant removal plan, as provided in Subsection B. below. Methods to remove and control invasive exotic plants must be included on required landscape plans, for projects that require a landscape plan. Methods of removal and control that would damage native vegetation to be preserved are prohibited. The development sites shall be maintained free from invasive exotic plants in perpetuity. For purposes of this subsection, invasive exotic plants include the following listed plants, or those plants currently listed as a Category I invasive by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC) at the time of development: Table 5.5.9: PROHIBITED INVASIVE EXOTICS | Common Name | Scientific Name Earleaf Acacia | acacia auriculiformis Woman's Tongue | Albizia lebbeck Bishopwood | Bischofia javanica Australian Pines | All Casuarina species Carrotwood | Cupianopsis anacardioide Rosewood | Dalbergia sissoo Air Potato | Dioscorea alata Murray Red Gum | Eucalyptus camaldulersis Cuban Laurel Fig | Ficus microcarpa Japanese Climbing Fern | Lygodium japonicum Old World Climbing Fern | Lygodium microphyllum Melaleuca, Paper Tree | Melaleuca quinquenervia Downy Rose Myrtle | Rhodomyrtus tomentosus Chinese Tallow | Sapium sebiferum Brazilian Pepper, Florida Holly | Schinus terebinthifolius Tropical Soda Apple | Solanum viarum Java Plum | Syzygium viarum Rose Apple | Syzygium jambos Cork Tree | Thespesia populnea Wedelia | Wedelia trilobata B. For public parks and recreational facility projects, invasive exotic plants may be removed from a site in accordance with a phasing plan or an invasive exotic plant removal plan. The plan shall be submitted to the Director for review and shall show areas of the site where exotics shall be removed in sequential fashion along with timelines for removing exotics for each area depicted on the plan. The plan shall be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the Director. Factors to be considered by the Director in approving said plans shall include the area of the site, the estimated number of exotics, the accessibility of the exotics, and the estimated cost of removal. Such plans may be amended from time to time with the approval of the Director. A certificate of completion shall not be issued for an area shown on the plan until exotic vegetation has been removed from that particular area. C. The Weeping Fig (Ficus benjamina) is prohibited due to aggressive root systems unless it is maintained as a hedge with a maximum height of eight feet. D. City of Cape Coral and state-prohibited vegetation shall be removed from all sites prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion.

(Ord. 96-20, § 1, 3-3-2021)