☰ ˟
Get In Touch / 321.206.8035
Get A Quote
Garzor Insurance Logo
  • Home
  • Get A Quote
  • Customer Service
  • What We Offer
    • Business & Commercial
    • Bonds
    • Commercial Auto Insurance
    • Contractors Insurance
    • Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
    • Professional Liability Insurance
    • Restaurant, Bar, & Tavern Insurance
    • Trucking
    • Workers Compensation
  • Blog
  • Resources
    • Refer a Friend
    • Event Calendar
    • Important Links
    • Insurance Glossary
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About Us
    • About Garzor Insurance
    • Our Locations
    • Employee Directory
    • Our Partners
    • Customer Testimonials
    • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Client Login
    • Join Our Newsletter

What type of coverage do you need?
Home > Blog > Landscaping Businesses Prepare To Comply With Lawn Fertilizer Regulations
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2021

Landscaping Businesses Prepare To Comply With Lawn Fertilizer Regulations

Landscaping Business Insurance

 

 

 Orlando, Fla.—Do fertilizer bans protect water quality?

There are multiple sources of nutrients in Florida's water bodies. UF/IFAS research using stable isotope source tracking methods has shown that in addition to fertilizers, sources of nutrients in water bodies include atmospheric deposition, decaying plant material such as grass clippings left on streets, pet waste, sewage waste and leaky septic tanks, reclaimed water, and soil. It is important to note that nutrients are likely transported from landscapes to water bodies regardless of fertilizer use. However, fertilizers are indeed identified in UF/IFAS research as one source of nutrients in samples of stormwater, ponds, lakes, streams, springs, and coastal waters.

 

A study funded by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) reported in 2015 that at least 7 years of monitoring would be necessary to observe any statistically significant effects of fertilizer bans on local water quality. Long-term monitoring efforts have not been initiated to compare water quality in residential areas with fertilizer bans versus those without the bans.

 

The same TBEP study observed evidence of nitrate from fertilizer sources in lawn soils of residential neighborhoods both with and without bans. Thus, even if fertilizers are not applied, fertilizer-derived nutrients may still reside in lawn soils and potentially become mobilized and transported to water bodies for some time after the last fertilizer application. In a separate UF/IFAS study by Lusk et al. (2018), fertilizer N applied to young St. Augustine grass during the summer rainy season was shown to accumulate in soil organic matter pools, with very little (less than 3%) leached from the soil during the season. While this fertilizer N may reside in the soil organic matter pool for years, it could potentially become mobilized at some future point, even in the absence of future fertilizer applications.

 

Meanwhile, in Orange County,  as an example, there are rules to follow for residential and commercial use.

 

All areas of property covered by lawn, turf and landscape plants are subject to the fertilizer ordinance. Fertilizers containing phosphorus are prohibited unless soil test shows deficiency. Fertilizers containing nitrogen applied in Orange County must contain 50 percent slow release nitrogen, unless 65 percent slow-release is available.

 

Deflector shields must be in place when broadcast spreaders are used next to streets, inlets, ditches, conveyances and waterways.

 

No fertilizer or grass clippings shall be deposited on streets, driveways or in storm drains.

 

No fertilizer can be applied within 15 feet from waterways.

Application sites must maintain a 10-foot low maintenance zone – planted area with no fertilizing, mowing or maintenance – adjacent to water bodies.

 

No fertilizer shall be applied when the National Weather Service issues any advisory for severe thunderstorm, flood, tropical storm or hurricane.

 

For Commercial and Business Use Only

 

Commercial applicators must show proof of training by displaying decals on vehicles used during application.

Proof of training must be provided in order to obtain an Orange County local business tax certificate for businesses that provide landscape services.

Commercial applicators who need decals can contact EPD@ocfl.net with proof of training to have decals mailed to their business.

 

RETAIL BUSINESSES

 

Retail businesses that sell fertilizer must post a notice provided by Orange County regarding the ordinance.

Retailers who need posters may download a digital poster or contact EPD@ocfl.net to have posters mailed to their business.

 

 

BUSINESS EXEMPTION

Golf courses, bona-fide agricultural operation and sports fields are exempt from the ordinance.

 

The consequences of noncompliance in residential areas are a written notice for the very first violation, fifty dollar fine on the second and one hundred dollar fine on the third.

 

For commercial properties use— however, the first violation will still be a written notice, but second and third violations increase to five hundred and seven hundred and fifty dollar fines.

 

Keep in mind that by doing something as simple as choosing fertilizer carefully and applying it properly, together we can make a big impact on the health of our natural water bodies helping prevent algae blooms and poor water quality.

 

At Garzor Insurance our experienced professionals are dedicated to providing commercial insurance, including business general liability coverage in Florida as well as Georgia, Texas, and now many other states across the U.S.A. If you have questions about business insurance, or any other commercial insurance aspects, please do not hesitate to visit us online at Garzor Insurance, or you may want to call us directly at (321) 206-8035. 

 

 

Yaralyn Diaz, CSR

Yaralyn Diaz, CSR

Commercial Lines CSR

a group of people riding on the back of a bicycle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted 10:51 PM

Tags: landscaping business, insurance, florida, texas, georgia
Share |


No Comments


Post a Comment
Required
Required (Not Displayed)
Required


All comments are moderated and stripped of HTML.

NOTICE: This blog and website are made available by the publisher for educational and informational purposes only. It is not be used as a substitute for competent insurance, legal, or tax advice from a licensed professional in your state. By using this blog site you understand that there is no broker client relationship between you and the blog and website publisher.
Blog Archive
  • 2025
  • 2024
  • 2023
  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017

  • florida(148)
  • insurance(110)
  • business(77)
  • texas(71)
  • orlando(63)
  • commercial(46)
  • commercial insurance(40)
  • georgia(28)
  • business insurance(27)
  • workers compensation(19)
  • small business(14)
  • truck insurance(11)
  • general liability(9)
  • commercial vehicles(8)
  • hurricane season(8)
  • transportation(7)
  • coverage(6)
  • covid-19(6)
  • hurricane(6)
  • professional liability(6)
  • holidays(6)
  • liability(6)
  • holiday season(6)
  • commercial auto insurance(5)
  • central florida(5)
  • garzor insurance(5)
  • business owners(5)
  • flood insurance(5)
  • risk management(5)
  • california(4)
  • restaurant(4)
  • restaurant insurance(4)
  • small businesses(4)
  • bop(4)
  • sba(4)
  • medicaid(3)
  • pandemic(3)
  • business owners policy(3)
  • workplace(3)
  • trucks(3)
  • safety(3)
  • nemt(3)
  • contractors(3)
  • fleet insurance(3)
  • supply chain(3)
  • preparedness(3)
  • risk(3)
  • irma(3)
  • auto(3)
  • contractors insurance(3)

View Mobile Version

Our Customer Feedback

Read More

Our latest blogs

  • Carrier
  • Carrier
  • Carrier
  • Guard Insurance Orlando
  • Carrier
  • Carrier
  • Carrier
  • Carrier
  • Carrier
  • Liberty Mutual Insurance Orlando
  • Nationwide Insurance in Orlando
Garzor Insurance
4369 Hunters Park Lane.
Orlando, Fl 32837
(321) 206-8035
Garzor Insurance is your local Commercial Insurance agency, offering a wide spectrum of business and commercial insurance options.
We support Florida business owners in finding the right coverage at the right price. Orlando, St. Cloud, Kissimmee, Apopka, Clermont, Melbourne, Lakeland, Jacksonville, Ocala
**New Office in Houston, Texas**
We're here for you
Home Page/ About Us/ Contact Us/ Our Blog/ Events/ Refer A Friend/ Our Partners/ Client Login
Quick Help Links
Quote Forms/ Service Forms/ File a Claim/ Make a Payment/ Insurance Glossary/ FAQs

Icon Icon
        

 

Icon Icon Icon
Social Icon Social Icon Social Icon Social Icon Social Icon
© Copyright. All rights reserved. Powered by Insurance Website Builder