(1) The Legislature finds that water conservation and water quality protection and restoration are increasingly critical to the continuance of an adequate water supply and healthy surface and ground waters. The Legislature further finds that “Florida-friendly landscaping,” as defined in s. 373.185, can contribute significantly to water conservation and water quality protection and restoration. Finally, the Legislature finds that state government has the responsibility to promote Florida-friendly landscaping as a water conservation and water quality protection and restoration measure by using such landscaping on public property associated with publicly owned buildings or facilities.

(2) As used in this section, “publicly owned buildings or facilities” means construction projects under the purview of the Department of Management Services. The term does not include environmentally endangered land or roads and highway construction under the purview of the Department of Transportation.

(3) The Department of Management Services, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, shall adopt rules and guidelines for the required use of Florida-friendly landscaping on public property associated with publicly owned buildings or facilities constructed after June 30, 2009. The Department of Management Services shall also develop a 5-year program for phasing in the use of Florida-friendly landscaping on public property associated with publicly owned buildings or facilities constructed before July 1, 2009. In accomplishing these tasks, the Department of Management Services shall take into account the standards provided in s. 373.185. The Department of Transportation shall implement Florida-friendly landscaping pursuant to s. 335.167.

(4)(a) The Legislature finds that the use of Florida-friendly landscaping and other water use and pollution prevention measures to conserve or protect the state’s water resources serves a compelling public interest and that the participation of homeowners’ associations and local governments is essential to the state’s efforts in water conservation and water quality protection and restoration.

(b) A deed restriction or covenant may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land or create any requirement or limitation in conflict with any provision of part II of chapter 373 or a water shortage order, other order, consumptive use permit, or rule adopted or issued pursuant to part II of chapter 373.

(c) A local government ordinance may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land.

History.—s. 1, ch. 91-41; s. 1, ch. 91-68; s. 182, ch. 92-279; s. 55, ch. 92-326; s. 89, ch. 94-356; s. 4, ch. 2001-252; s. 23, ch. 2009-243.