(A) Time of application. Lawn fertilizer applications shall not be applied when the ground is frozen or between November 15 and April 15 of the succeeding year.
(B) Sample analysis cost. The cost of analyzing fertilizer samples taken from property owners shall be paid by the property owners if the sample analysis indicates that the phosphorus content exceeds the levels authorized herein.
(C) Fertilizer content. No person, firm, corporation or franchise shall apply liquid fertilizer within the city which contains more than ½% by weight of phosphate expressed as P205, or granular fertilizer which contains more than 3% by weight of phosphate expressed as P205, unless a single application is less than or equal to .05 pounds of phosphate expressed as P205 per 1,000 square feet. Annual application amounts shall not exceed .10 pounds of phosphate expressed as P205 per 1,000 square feet of lawn area.
(D) Impervious surfaces. No person shall apply fertilizer to impervious surfaces, or to the areas within drainage ditches or waterways.
(E) Buffer zone. Fertilizer applications shall not be made within 10 feet of any wetland or water resource.
(F) Water fowl. No person shall place feed for water fowl on, in or within 50 feet of a wetland, pond, lake or water resource.
(G) Warning signs for pesticide application. All commercial or noncommercial applicators licensed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture who apply pesticides to turf areas must post or affix warning signs to the property where the pesticides are applied. The warning signs shall comply with the following criteria and contain the following information:
(1) The warning signs must project at least 18 inches above the top of the grass line. The warning signs must be of a material that is rain resistant for at least a 48- hour period and must remain in place up to 48 hours from the time of initial application.
(2) The following information must be printed on the warning signs in contrasting colors and capitalized letters measuring at least 1/2-inch, or in another format approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture. The signs must provide the following information:
(a) The name of the business entity, or person applying the pesticide; and
(b) The following language: “This area is chemically treated. Keep children and pets off until (date of safe entry)“ or a universally accepted symbol and text approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture as recognized as having the same meaning or intent as specified in this subparagraph. The warning signs may include the name of the pesticide used.
(3) The warning signs must be posted on a lawn or yard between 2 feet and 5 feet from the sidewalk or street. For parks, golf courses, athletic fields, playgrounds or other similar recreational property, the warning signs must be posted immediately adjacent to areas within the property where pesticides have been applied or at or near the entrances to the property.
(Prior Code, § 31.030) (Ord. 416, passed 4-9-1990; Am. Ord. 683, passed 11-5-2018) Penalty, see § 100.99