Purpose and intent

This article regulates the proper use of fertilizers by any applicator and requires proper training of commercial and institutional fertilizer applicators and landscape maintenance companies. The article requires the use of best management practices which provide specific management guidelines to minimize negative secondary and cumulative environmental effects associated with the misuse of fertilizers. These secondary and cumulative effects have been observed in and on the City of Tampa's natural and artificial stormwater and drainage conveyances, rivers, lakes, canals, estuaries, interior freshwater wetlands, and Tampa Bay. Collectively, these water bodies are an asset critical to the environmental, recreational, cultural and economic well-being of the City of Tampa and the health of the public. Overgrowth of algae and vegetation hinder the effectiveness of flood attenuation provided by natural and artificial stormwater and drainage conveyances. Regulation of nutrients, including both phosphorus and nitrogen contained in fertilizer, will help improve and maintain water and habitat quality.

(Ord. No. 2011-74, § 1, 6-23-2011; Ord. No. 2012-48, § 1, 5-3-2012)