test Fertilizer Use and Maintenance of Landscapes
Nutrients entering our waterways, from sources such as fertilizers, decrease water quality and can cause overgrowth of algae and fish kills. Regulations on fertilizer application have been put in place to protect the water quality of our lakes, rivers and bays.
On October 4, 2017, the City Council passed revisions to the Lawn and Landscape Maintenance and Content of Fertilizer Ordinance (Chapter 52, Article VII). The Article was renamed Fertilizer Use and Maintenance of Urban Landscapes; the purpose and intent, definitions, applicability, timing, content, means of fertilizer application, exemptions, certification, training, and licensing requirements were amended. The City's Professional Landscaping Certification and vehicle decals are no longer required. However, ALL commercial fertilizer applicators are required to carry their current State of Florida Limited Urban Commercial Fertilizer Applicator Certification on them at all times when applying fertilizer and to comply with the ordinance.
Below is a breakdown of the amendments and how they compare to the previous ordinance. The full ordinance can be viewed in Municode.
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Old regulations |
New regulations |
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No fertilizer application during the rainy season/blackout period (June 1 - Sept 30) |
NO fertilizer application when soils are saturated, heavy rain is likely, or during a storm or flood watch/warning |
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Phosphorus content: Maximum 2% |
Phosphorus content/amount: |
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Nitrogen content: |
Nitrogen content: |
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Fertilizer applied to turf: same requirements as landscape plants |
Fertilizer applied to turf shall follow |
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If reclaimed water is used for irrigation, the nutrient loadings of the reclaimed later must be included in the fertilizer calculations. |
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NO grass clippings and vegetative matter/debris shall be washed, swept, or blown into waterbodies, stormwater drains, ditches, conveyances, wetlands, sidewalks or roadways. |
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Deflector shield required adjacent to impervious surfaces or buffer zones (within 10-feet of waterbody/wetland); No fertilizer applied/spilled/deposited on impervious surfaces. |
Spreader deflector shield required when fertilizing via a rotary/broadcast spreader. NO fertilizer within 10-feet of waterbody, drain, or top of seawall. No fertilizer applied/spilled/deposited on impervious surfaces. |
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City of Naples Professional Landscape certification and decals required to fertilize within City Limits |
All commercial fertilizer applicators MUST possess and carry the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Limited Commercial Fertilizer Applicator Certification pursuant to Rule 5E-14.117(18), F.A.C. City Certification is NO LONGER REQUIRED |
We also encourage our residents to follow these fertilizer application practices to protect our precious waters!
