§ 2-14-62. Definitions.

As used in this chapter, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

(a)

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

(b)

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

(c)

Approved best management practices (BMP) training program means a training program approved by the county administrator that includes, at a minimum, the BMPs associated with proper mowing, trimming, irrigation, and landscape debris management, the most current version of the "Florida Green Industries Best Management Practices for Protection of Water Resources in Florida, December 2008", as updated, and the more stringent requirements set forth in this chapter.

(d)

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

(e)

Board means the board of county commissioners of Manatee County, Florida.

(f)

Code enforcement officer or code inspector means any designated employee or agent of the county whose duty it is to enforce county codes and ordinances.

(g)

Commercial fertilizer applicator means any person who applies fertilizer on turf and/or landscape plants in the county in exchange for money, goods, services, or other valuable consideration.

(h)

County means Manatee County, Florida.

(i)

County administrator means the county administrator or the county administrator's designee responsible for administration and implementation of the provisions of this chapter.

(j)

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

(k)

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.

(l)

Granular means composed of small grains or particles.

(m)

Institutional applicator means any person, other than a noncommercial 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.

(n)

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.

(o)

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

(p)

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

(q)

Low-maintenance zone means an area a minimum of six (6) feet wide adjacent to watercourses which is planted with nonturf grass vegetation and managed in order to minimize the need for fertilization, watering, and mowing.

(r)

Pasture means land used for livestock grazing that is managed to provide feed value.

(s)

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.

(t)

Restricted season means June 1 through September 30.

(u)

Site supervisor means the direct supervisor of landscape maintenance personnel.

(v)

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.

(w)

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

(x)

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

(y)

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.

(z)

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

(aa)

Vegetable garden means an area dedicated to the cultivation of edible plants.

(Ord. No. 14-41, § 37, 10-7-14)