§ 19-253. Training for fertilizer applications.

(a)

All persons applying fertilizer as part of landscape maintenance services for hire shall abide by and be trained in the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Environmental Landscape Management Course and the "Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources in Florida, June 2002", as amended, by January 1, 2010. New employees who will apply fertilizer shall obtain training by the date of the next available approved training course. Persons who apply fertilizer to lawns or specialized turf for hire will obtain a certificate of completion upon successful completion of the course. Certification is good for four (4) years and must be taken against at the conclusion of the fourth year from issuance. As an alternative to taking such training course, a person may meet the educational requirement by providing proof that a minimum of four (4) continuing education credits (CEU's) were received from an approved training organization in principles of Florida Friendly Landscape Management within the previous twenty-four (24) months. The county shall maintain a list of approved training organizations.

(b)

No person for hire shall apply fertilizer to any lawn or specialized turf unless such person is registered with the county as having met compliance with the training requirements under subsection (a) above. Registrants will pay a registration management fee and will receive an authorization certificate, registration cards for individual employees, vehicle decals, and a copy of the "Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices for the Protection of Water Resources in Florida, June 2002", as amended. Renewal registration shall be required biennially, prior to September 30 in each odd calendar year thereafter. It is a violation of this section for any commercial fertilizer applicator to fertilize any lawn without having been first duly registered, or for any employee of a commercial fertilizer applicator to fertilize any lawn after the date of the next available training course following the date of hire, without having a certificate of completion from such training. A vehicle decal, when available from the county, shall be affixed and maintained to the exterior of all vehicles and trailers used in connection with the application of fertilizer within the unincorporated area of the county.

(c)

Commercial fertilizer applicators shall maintain adequate records that demonstrate compliance with the fertilization limits in this section. Invoices and account histories may be required for inspection by the county upon request and shall be made available at the place of business during normal working hours.

(d)

Private homeowners are required to follow the recommendations of the University of Florida IFAS Florida Yards and Neighborhoods program when applying fertilizers, except to the extent this article provides more stringent requirements.

(Ord. No. 08-35, § 13, 11-4-2008)