§ 46-341. Fertilizer content and application rates.

(a)

Only "no phosphate fertilizer" as defined in Rule 5E-1.003(2) may be applied to turf or landscape plants in the county without a soil or plant tissue deficiency as verified by a University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, approved testing methodology. In the case that a deficiency has been verified, the application of a fertilizer containing phosphorous shall be in accordance with the rates and directions provided by Rule 5E-1.003(2), Florida Administrative Code. Deficiency verification shall be no more than two years old. However, recent application of compost, manure, or top soil shall warrant more recent testing to verify current deficiencies.

(b)

The nitrogen content of fertilizer applied to turf or landscape plants within the county shall contain slow release, controlled release, timed release, slowly available, or water insoluble nitrogen per guaranteed analysis label of not less than 50 percent. Caution shall be used to prevent direct deposition of nutrients in the water.

(c)

Unless otherwise stipulated herein fertilizers applied to turf within the county shall be applied at rates that are in accordance with requirements and directions provided by Rule 5E-1.003(2), Florida Administrative Code, labeling requirements for urban turf fertilizers.

(d)

Fertilizer containing nitrogen or phosphorus shall not be applied before seeding or sodding a site, and shall not be applied for the first 30 days after seeding or sodding, except when hydro-seeding for temporary or permanent erosion control in an emergency situation (wildfire, etc.), or in accordance with the stormwater pollution prevention plan for that site.

(Ord. No. 2012-37, § 7, 12-11-12; Ord. No. 2014-10, § 5, 3-6-14)