Village Fertilizer Ordinance

Published on December 27, 2022

As Miami-Dade County enters the rainy season, the use of fertilizers is prohibited from May 15 through Oct. 31. Fertilizers applied during the intense rainy season have the potential to wash away into our surface waters through storm drains, canals, or direct discharges. Fertilizers contain nutrients that can be harmful to the ecosystems found in our waterways, especially Biscayne Bay. Excess nutrients pollution from our urban watershed is affecting the health of Biscayne Bay and has contributed to seagrass die-offs, algal blooms and fish kills in the Bay.

Do your part to help protect Biscayne Bay by following the regulations set forth in the Miami-Dade County fertilizer ordinance. 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.

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 feet 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.