Orange County has new rules in effect for the use of fertilizer

Orange County residents and businesses will have to adhere to new rules regarding the use of fertilizer on lawns and landscapes as of June 1. 

According to a press release, “the rules, passed unanimously by the Board of County Commissioners earlier this year as updates to the County’s Fertilizer Management Ordinance,” as an attempt “to improve water quality and prevent algae blooms in local lakes, rivers and springs.” 

Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings said, “this ordinance is one of many steps in the right direction to keep pollutants out of our waterbodies.” 

Through the restricted summer months — June 1 to Sept. 30, residents are prohibited to apply fertilizer containing nitrogen as stated on a key provision of the ordinance, which also bans phosphorus year-round. As of now, previous exceptions to trained commercial and residential applicators were eliminated. 

“Restricting the application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer is an important measure that will help protect our rivers, lakes, springs and groundwater from nutrient pollution and associated algae blooms,” said Environmental Programs Administrator for Orange County’s Environment Protection Division, Julie Bortles. 

For those who’d like to learn more about Orange County’s fertilizer management and water quality protection efforts, click here.