Fertilizer Ordinance and Regulation

The Hillsborough County Fertilizer Ordinance regulates fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorous, and provides specific management guidelines for fertilizer application to minimize negative impacts of non-point source water pollution (NPSP)* to our natural waterbodies. This ordinance is for unincorporated Hillsborough County; City of Tampa has a different but similar ordinance.

Weather restrictionsThe Fertilizer Ordinance is in addition to the existing Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) of Hillsborough County Chapter 1-15 Fertilizer Use and Landscape Management Rule that has been in effect since June of 2010. The ordinance supersedes the EPC rule, although anything not contained in the ordinance that is in the EPC rule is still in effect.

The ordinance and rule apply to anyone including residents, homeowners, homeowner association common property management, businesses, governmental entities, and commercial companies that apply fertilizer and provide landscape services to non-agricultural property.

The overall goal of the County’s ordinance is to minimize excess fertilizer runoff and protect the County’s natural water resources.

*NPSP comes from many sources, including fertilizer, and oil, pet waste, landscape debris, pesticides, sediments, faulty septic tanks, and any other contaminant that ends up on the ground due to natural or human activity.

Rainfall and excess irrigation carries NPSP to ponds, lakes, rivers, wetlands, coastal waters, and ground waters.

NPSP can reduce water quality used for drinking and recreation, and harm ecosystems, quality of life, and the economy.

Seasonal and year-round application restrictions

Seasonal restrictions

• No fertilizers containing nitrogen (N) or phosphorus (P) may be applied to landscapes between June 1 and September 30 unless exempted in Ordinance 21-42
• Fertilizers containing iron, manganese and other "micronutrients" also referred to as "summer blends" can be applied during the restricted season to keep lawns healthy and green (as recommended by Florida Yards Neighborhood/Florida Friendly Landscape Program)

Year-round restrictions

Nitrogen (N) fertilizer must:

• Contain at least 50% slow-release N
• Have a maximum application rate of 1.0 lb. of N/1000 sq. ft. per application
• Have no more than 4.0 lbs. of N/1000 sq. ft. applied annually
• Use slowly available, controlled release, water insoluble, or time-release fertilizer

• Fertilizers containing phosphorous cannot be applied to turfgrass or landscape plants at any time unless a soil analysis test showing a phosphorous deficiency has been performed by a qualified laboratory
• Fertilizers containing nitrogen must be at least 50% controlled or slow-release nitrogen
• Fertilizers containing nitrogen cannot be applied prior to seeding, or for the first 30 days after seeding or sodding except under specific hydroseeding conditions (see ordinance)
• Nitrogen containing fertilizers must be applied at the rates recommended in the Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources by the Green Industries, not to exceed four pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet applied in any calendar year
• Spreader deflector shields are required on all broadcast or rotary spreaders and must be used to deflect granular fertilizer away from all impervious surfaces and water bodies
• Fertilizer cannot be applied, spilled, or deposited on any impervious surface. If this happens, it must be immediately and completely removed. It can be applied at the recommended rate to turfgrass or landscape plants.
• Fertilizer cannot be washed, swept, or blown from impervious surfaces into storm drains, ditches, drainage conveyances, surface waters or roadways

Fertilizers containing nitrogen and/or phosphorous cannot be applied when:

• It is raining at the application site
• Within the time period during which a flood watch or warning, or a tropical storm watch or warning, or a hurricane watch or warning is in effect for any portion of Hillsborough County, issued by the National Weather Service
• Within 36 hours prior to a rain event greater than or equal to 2 inches in a 24-hour period is likely

• Fertilizer cannot be applied within 10 feet of any surface water

• Grass clippings, vegetative material, and/or vegetative debris may not be intentionally or accidentally, washed, swept, or blown off into stormwater drains, ditches, conveyances, surface waters, or roadways. This material must be immediately and completely swept up and collected or blown onto the landscape.

• All commercial applicators including government and institutional applicators must obtain an Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Limited Commercial Urban Fertilizer Certification (LUF), also known as the fertilizer license. A Green Industries Best Management Practices (GIBMP) certification by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)-UF/IFAS is required to obtain the LUF.
• A vehicle decal issued by EPC of Hillsborough County must be affixed to any vehicle used by the company in connection with landscape maintenance activities and/or the application of fertilizer

For commercial applicator training and questions, contact UF/IFAS Extension Hillsborough County Professional Horticulture Program at (813) 744-5519.

• A 6-foot low maintenance, no mow zone from the water’s edge in the fertilizer free zone
• Properties utilizing reclaimed water may not require fertilizer. Check with Hillsborough County Water Resources for information on reclaimed water nutrient content, including nitrogen and phosphorus.

• The Fertilizer Ordinance is enforced by Hillsborough County Code Enforcement. Violations of the ordinance can result in warnings and penalties up to $500. Local law enforcement, Regulatory Compliance Investigators or others designated by Hillsborough County may also enforce the ordinance.
• Report a suspected fertilizer ordinance violation