Carrollwood Landscape Services

Contact Your Local Carrollwood Public Works or Solid Waste Department for Green Waste Info

Carrollwood, located in Hillsborough County within the Tampa Bay metro area, follows Gulf Coast regional protocols for yard waste and vegetative debris management. Weekly curbside collection is provided for bundled branches (under 4 feet in length and 50 pounds), palm fronds, leaves, and grass clippings, which must be placed in paper bags or reusable containers—plastic bags are prohibited to protect stormwater quality. Residents may also use the Hillsborough County Northwest Solid Waste Facility for larger loads, with proof of residency required. Commercial landscapers must use approved disposal sites and may be subject to fees. After storms or hurricanes, special debris collection schedules are announced. Dumping or blowing debris, clippings, or fertilizer into streets, swales, or storm drains is strictly prohibited under the Clean Water Act and local MS4 rules to prevent waterway pollution.

Carrollwood Public Works Department
601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 635-5400
Official Website: Carrollwood Public Works Department

Lawn Care Regulations & Permits in Carrollwood, FL

Lawn care in Carrollwood is governed by a combination of state and local ordinances. Applicators must comply with the Florida Pesticide Law - Chapter 487, Florida Statutes 403.9337, and Florida Statutes 482.1562. Hillsborough County enforces a rainy-season fertilizer blackout (June 1–September 30), restricting nitrogen and phosphorus use and requiring slow-release formulations. Setbacks from water bodies and storm drains are mandatory. Commercial fertilizer applicators must hold a valid FDACS Limited Urban Fertilizer Applicator Certificate. Pesticide applicators require licensing through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Pesticide Applicator Certification and Licensing. Irrigation is regulated by the Southwest Florida Water Management District - District Water Restrictions, with watering limited to designated days and rain sensors required. Noise ordinances restrict equipment operation to 7 a.m.–7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on weekends. Commercial operators must maintain business tax receipts and insurance.

Carrollwood Development Services Department
601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 272-5600
Official Website: Carrollwood Development Services Department

Southwest Florida Water Management District
2379 Broad St., Brooksville, FL 34604
Phone: (352) 796-7211
Official Website: Southwest Florida Water Management District

What Neighborhoods Do We Serve in Carrollwood, FL?

Carrollwood’s neighborhoods reflect the Gulf Coast’s sandy, shell-influenced soils and high water table. In Carrollwood Village, mature oaks and St. Augustinegrass dominate, with HOA rules requiring regular irrigation and setback compliance near ponds. Original Carrollwood features sandy loam soils, older lots, and a mix of St. Augustine and bahiagrass, with drainage swales and proximity to Lake Carroll. Plantation at Carrollwood, a planned community, has imported fill soils, smaller lots, and reclaimed water irrigation. Lake Magdalene Estates faces high water table and occasional flooding, favoring bahiagrass for drought and wet tolerance. Northdale’s newer subdivisions have compacted fill soils and HOA landscaping standards. Whispering Oaks, near canals and wetlands, requires careful fertilizer use and stormwater protection. Each area’s unique soil, turf, and regulatory context shapes best practices for sustainable lawn care.

Partnering With Carrollwood’s Stormwater, Environmental, or Sustainability Office

Carrollwood coordinates with Hillsborough County’s Environmental Services and Stormwater Management to protect local ponds, canals, and wetlands. Sustainable landscaping is promoted through:

• Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ education (Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program)
• Stormwater pond buffer planting
• Proper mowing and grasscycling
• Micro-irrigation for beds
• Rain sensor installation
• Reduced fertilizer and pesticide runoff
• Use of native and adapted plants These efforts align with Florida DEP - Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems (MS4) and NPDES stormwater permit requirements, supporting water quality and flood resilience.

Hillsborough County Environmental Services
332 N. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, FL 33619
Phone: (813) 272-5680
Official Website: Hillsborough County Environmental Services

Top Carrollwood Lawn Problems (and How We Solve Them)

Carrollwood lawns face several region-specific challenges:

• Chinch bugs in St. Augustinegrass
• Mole crickets in bahiagrass and bermudagrass
• Dollarweed and sedges in wet, low-lying areas
• Large patch and gray leaf spot from humidity and overwatering
• Nutrient leaching in sandy soils
• Standing water after heavy rain
• Sod webworms and armyworms in summer

Science-based solutions include:

• Regular scouting and targeted, licensed pesticide use (UF/IFAS Extension - Lawn Maintenance)
• Improving drainage and reducing irrigation frequency
• Applying slow-release fertilizers outside blackout periods
• Raising mowing heights to reduce stress
• Using disease-resistant turf varieties
• Grasscycling to return nutrients
• Following Best Management Practices for Your Lawn

What Makes Lawns in Carrollwood Different From the Rest of Florida?

Carrollwood’s Gulf Coast location brings unique lawn care realities:

• USDA Hardiness Zone 9b: mild winters, rare frost
• Summer rainy season (June–September) with high humidity
• Sandy, shell-influenced soils with rapid drainage and leaching risk
• High water table and occasional flooding in low areas
• Dominant turf: St. Augustinegrass, bahiagrass, bermudagrass, zoysiagrass in premium lawns
• Pest pressure: chinch bugs, mole crickets, fungal diseases from humidity
• Storm/hurricane debris risk and salt exposure near canals
• HOA and reclaimed water zones common in subdivisions Carrollwood differs from inland Central Florida (less drought, more humidity) and North Florida (less cold injury, longer growing season).

Supporting Local Events in Carrollwood With Lawn Expertise

Lawn care professionals and municipal staff support Carrollwood’s vibrant community life by maintaining:

• Parks and athletic fields (Carrollwood Village Park, Northdale Park)
• Waterfront and lakefront event spaces
• School grounds and sports complexes
• Neighborhood festivals and farmers markets
• Seasonal events and holiday displays
• Volunteer cleanup and beautification days
• Emergency storm debris and hurricane response These efforts ensure safe, attractive, and resilient public spaces for all residents.

Carrollwood Parks & Recreation Department
8720 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, FL 33615
Phone: (813) 635-3500
Official Website: Carrollwood Parks & Recreation Department

Eco-Friendly Landscaping Backed by Carrollwood’s Florida-Friendly and Water-Saving Initiatives

Carrollwood aligns with Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and water conservation goals by promoting:

• Smart irrigation controllers and rain shutoff devices
• Micro-irrigation for beds and foundation plantings
• Proper zone calibration and watering only as allowed
• Turf reduction in low-use or shaded areas
• Compost topdressing and grasscycling
• Integrated pest management and reduced-chemical approaches
• Battery-powered equipment and route efficiency
• Shade tree preservation and planting These practices reduce runoff, conserve water, and support pollinators and wildlife, in line with local sustainability and stormwater protection initiatives.

Carrollwood Utilities / Water Conservation Office
925 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 307-1000
Official Website: Carrollwood Utilities / Water Conservation Office

Proudly Serving These Streets and Areas in Carrollwood

Carrollwood’s lawn care services cover a wide range of neighborhoods and landmarks:

• Carrollwood Village (Village Drive, Lowell Road, South Village Drive)
• Original Carrollwood (Lake Carroll Way, Carrollwood Drive, Orange Grove Drive)
• Plantation at Carrollwood (Plantation Blvd., Gunn Highway, Linebaugh Avenue)
• Lake Magdalene Estates (Lake Magdalene Blvd., Magdalene Drive)
• Northdale (Northdale Blvd., Mapledale Blvd., Dawnview Drive)
• Whispering Oaks (Whispering Oaks Blvd., Casey Road)
• Emerald Green Golf Community
• Carrollwood Springs and Carrollwood Meadows
• Major corridors: Dale Mabry Highway, Fletcher Avenue, Ehrlich Road
• Landmarks: Carrollwood Village Park, Lake Carroll, Lake Ellen, Northdale Park, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Ben Hill Middle School
• Special rule areas: HOA subdivisions, reclaimed water zones, pond and canal setbacks, flood-prone streets This comprehensive coverage ensures regionally appropriate, environmentally responsible lawn care for all Carrollwood residents.

UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County
5339 County Road 579, Seffner, FL 33584
Phone: (813) 744-5519
Official Website: UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
407 S. Calhoun St., Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 617-7700
Official Website: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Florida Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399
Phone: (850) 245-2118
Official Website: Florida Department of Environmental Protection

National Weather Service Tampa Bay Area
2525 14th Ave. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570
Phone: (813) 645-2323
Official Website: National Weather Service Offices

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4
61 Forsyth St. SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 562-9900
Official Website: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4

Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management
201 S. Falkenburg Rd., Tampa, FL 33619
Phone: (813) 272-5680
Official Website: Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management