Village Fertilizer Ordinance

Published on May 17, 2022

The Florida-friendly fertilizer use on urban landscapes ordinance was adopted by Miami-Dade County in April 2021. This ordinance was developed to reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus entering our sensitive waterways and to improve the health of Biscayne Bay.

The ordinance's goal is to reduce pollution into our waterways and to avoid fish kills and algae blooms. The basic outline of the residential ordinance requirements include:

• Only use fertilizer with 0% phosphorus.
• Apply fertilizer at least 20 ft away from storm drains or waterways.
• Use fertilizer with a mix of at least 65% slow-release nitrogen.
• Do not use any fertilizer May 15 through October 31.

All Miami-County residents, including Pinecrest, must follow the county ordinance. Additionally, the Village adopted Ordinance No. 2021-6 that regulates the proper use of fertilizers, establishes training and licensing requirements for commercial landscapers and specifies allowable fertilizer application rates and methods, fertilizer-free zones, low maintenance zones, and exemptions.