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Fertilizer Use
The City of St. Augustine has adopted the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's model ordinance for Florida-Friendly Fertilizer Use on Urban Landscape. Regulating the proper use of fertilizers and requiring the use of Best Management Practices will help improve and maintain water quality throughout the City.
Any person who applies fertilizer on turf, landscape plants, or the ground in the City of St. Augustine must follow the fertilizer regulations established in City Code Section 11-2. This includes homeowners, private/non-commercial applicators, as well as commercial and industrial applicators.
Commercial Applicator Requirements
- Must complete the Green Industries Best Management Practices Training through the Florida-Friendly LandscapingTM Program, or an approved equivalent.
- When applying fertilizer, must carry evidence of certification by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services as a Commercial Fertilizer Applicator. Detailed application instructions are available here.
Businesses Applying Fertilizer
- Landscaping and lawn care companies applying fertilizer must ensure that at least one employee has a Green Industries Best Management Practices Training certificate. Proof of program completion must be submitted to the City prior to obtaining a Local Business Tax Certificate.
Do not apply fertilizer containing nitrogen and phosphorus during these prohibited application periods:
- During a Flood Watch or Warning
- During a Tropical Storm Watch or Warning
- During a Hurricane Watch or Warning
- When heavy rainfall of 2” or more is likely in a 24-hr period
Fertilizer Free Zones
- Do not apply fertilizer within 10 feet of any pond, waterway, wetland, etc.
- If a deflector shield or drop spreader is used, keep a minimum distance of 3 feet from the water.
- Newly planted turf and landscape plants within this zone may be fertilized 30 days after planting, for a period of 60 days.
Voluntary Low Maintenance Zones
- A 10-feet wide low maintenance zone adjacent to water is strongly recommended. This zone should be planted and managed in order to minimize the need for fertilization, watering, mowing, etc.
Excessive and improper use of fertilizer can contribute to water quality issues and lead to water quality degradation such as algae blooms and low dissolved oxygen. The improper use of fertilizes on lands within the City may contribute to adverse affects on surface waters.
- Spreader deflector shields are required when fertilizing via rotary (broadcast) spreaders.
- Any fertilizer applied, spilled or released onto an impervious surface must be removed immediately.
- Do not wash, sweep or blow fertilizer off impervious surfaces into storm drains.
- Keep grass clippings, vegetative material and debris out of storm drains, ditches and water bodies.