Orange County’s Updated Fertilizer Management Ordinance

Orange County approved more stringent fertilizer application rules in 2017. The basic elements are listed here:

All landscaped areas are covered under this rule, including plants, trees and turf grass.
All commercial applicators (as defined in Section 15-801) shall complete a county-approved best management practices training program.
Completion of the Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices (GI-BMP) by the University of Florida IFAS or the possession of a valid limited certification for urban landscape commercial fertilizer application shall suffice as evidence of completion of a county-approved best management practices training program.
Vehicles used during applications must display a decal provided by Orange County showing proof that the applicator has been trained. To obtain decal, please send an email to EPD@ocfl.net with a list of your trained personnel, proof of training, mailing address and the number of vehicles used.
Landscape businesses must possess a valid limited certification for urban landscape commercial fertilizer application or have completed the GI-BMP by UF/IFAS to obtain or renew an Orange County local business tax certificate.

Water quality protection elements are also included in the ordinance:

Fertilizers containing phosphorus are prohibited unless a soil test result from IFAS shows a deficiency.
No fertilizer shall be applied within 15 feet of a water body or wetland.
Nitrogen in fertilizers must contain at least 50 percent slow release formulations. By July 2020, this requirement will increase to 65 percent if commercially available.
No more than one pound of total nitrogen per 1,000 square feet shall be applied during one application.
Any fertilizer spilled onto streets, driveways, sidewalks, etc., must be put back into a labeled container or applied to turf or landscaping, as per the ordinance.
Low-maintenance zones (vegetated areas that are not mowed, fertilized or maintained) 10 feet wide are recommended adjacent to water bodies.
There shall be no application of fertilizer that contains nitrogen or phosphorus during the restricted period from June 1 through September 30, except by commercial applicators certified pursuant to Section 15-809.
Broadcast spreaders must be equipped with a deflector shield to keep fertilizer pellets away from impervious surfaces, water bodies and buffer areas.
Grass clippings and/or vegetative material/debris shall not be deposited, inadvertently or intentionally, into the street, into any public right of way, stormwater drain or other water conveyance.