City of Miami Passes Fertilizer Ordinance

The Miami City Commission has approved an ordinance to limit the type, amount and location of fertilizer use within city limits.

The ordinance aims to combat the negative secondary and cumulative effects of excess nutrients in Biscayne Bay and water bodies within the city, which are caused by fertilizer runoff. The proposed legislation is based on independent studies and with research from 85 municipalities and 32 counties that have passed fertilizer ordinances since 2007.

The Ordinance sets guidelines for the amount of fertilizer allowed, both commercial and non-commercial, in the City of Miami. It mandates that fertilizer can only be applied to actively growing turf. It also designates fertilizer-free zones 15 feet from bodies of water.Another aspect of the ordinance focuses on the regulation of nitrogen-releasing fertilizer in most forms, as well as even more rigorous phosphorus regulations.

City of Miami

The ordinance, co-sponsored by Ken Russell from District 2, Manolo Reyes in District 4, and Mayor Francis Suarez, has received strong support from the Sierra Club Florida, Ocean Conservancy, Miami Waterkeeper.

Big news from down south! 🌅

Our #ShoresForward partner @cityofmiami has unanimously passed a fertilizer ordinance that will keep harmful nitrogen and phosphorus out of South Florida waters—a huge win for fish, turtles, dolphins and manatees! 🌊 pic.twitter.com/T4UWIjww9e

— Ocean Conservancy (@OurOcean) February 16, 2020