Venice City Council adopted the Sarasota County Fertilizer Ordinance to control excessive nutrients in Florida waters. The ordinance, which applies to fertilizer and lawn-care companies, does
not apply to individual homeowners. The ordinance will:
• Be enforced by the city’s code enforcement program and existing code enforcement board system.
• Be effective in about six months, providing time for city personnel to train in identifying violations.
• Restrict the application of fertilizers from June 1 - Sept. 30.
• Require applications be no more than one-half pound of phosphorous per 1,000 square feet per year; no more than 4 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet per year; and no less than 50 percent slow release nitrogen to be used.
• Fulfill the state requirement that municipalities adopt their own fertilizer ordinances.
• Will automatically adopt all amendments to the county’s fertilizer ordinance.
• Require all commercial applicators doing business inside the city limits to have the appropriate certification and display the official decal on their vehicle to show they have received the certification.
Individual homeowners are encouraged to follow the rules, as well, in order to improve the quality of the local waterways.
