Definitions

For this article, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Application or apply means the actual physical deposit of fertilizer to turf or landscape plants.

Applicator means any person who applies fertilizer on turf and/or landscape plants in the City of Tampa.

Article means Chapter 21, Article V of the City of Tampa Code of Ordinances, as amended, unless otherwise specified.

Best management practices or BMP means turf and landscape practices which minimize the negative environmental impacts of installation and maintenance of landscapes.

Code enforcement officer, official, or inspector means any employee or agent of the City of Tampa who has been designated to enforce codes and ordinances enacted by the City of Tampa City Council.

Commercial fertilizer applicator means any person or an agent or employee of a commercial lawn or landscaping or commercial fertilizer company who applies fertilizer on turf and/or landscape plants in the City of Tampa in exchange for money; goods, services or other valuable consideration.

Fertilize, fertilizing, or fertilization means the act of applying fertilizer to turf, specialized turf, or landscape plants.

Fertilizer means any substance or mixture of substances that contains one or more recognized plant nutrients and promotes plant growth, or controls soil acidity or alkalinity, or provides other soil enrichment, or provides other corrective measures to the soil.

Fruit and vegetable garden means an area dedicated to the cultivation of edible plants.

Granular means composed of small grains or particles.

Institutional applicator means any person, other than a non-commercial or commercial applicator, that applies fertilizer for the purpose of maintaining turf and/or landscape plants. Institutional applicators shall include, but shall not be limited to, owners and managers of public lands, schools, parks, religious institutions, utilities, industrial or business sites and any residential properties maintained in condominium and/or common ownership.

Impervious surface means a surface that has been compacted or covered with a layer of material so that it is highly resistant or prevents infiltration by stormwater. It includes roofed areas and surfaces such as compacted sand, limerock, or clay, as well as conventionally surfaced streets, sidewalks, parking lots, and other similar surfaces.

Landscape plant means any native or exotic tree, shrub, or groundcover (excluding turf).

Landscape maintenance means activities carried out to manage and maintain landscape plants including but not limited to mowing, edging, and trimming.

Person means any human being, business, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, limited partnership, association, club, organization, and/or any group of people acting as an organized entity.

Restricted season means June 1 through September 30.

Saturated soil means a soil in which the voids are filled with water. Saturation does not require flow. For the purposes of this article, soils shall be considered saturated if standing water is present or the pressure of a person standing on the soil causes the release of free water.

Site supervisor means the direct supervisor of landscape maintenance personnel.

Slow or controlled release fertilizer means a fertilizer containing a plant nutrient in a form which delays its availability for plant uptake and use after application, or which extends its availability to the plant significantly longer than a referenced "rapidly available nutrient fertilizer."

Specialized turf means areas of grass used for athletic fields, golf course practice and play areas, and other similar activities.

Specialized turf manager means a person responsible for fertilizing or directing the fertilization of specialized turf.

Surface water means fresh, brackish, saline or tidal waters, including but not limited to bays, rivers, lakes, streams, wetlands, springs, impoundments, as well as canals and other artificial water bodies.

Turf, sod, or lawn means a piece of grass-covered soil held together by the roots of the grass.

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