Subd. 1. Time of application. Neither commercial applicators nor noncommercial applicators may apply lawn fertilizer when the ground is frozen or when conditions exist that will promote or create runoffs.
Subd. 2. Sample analysis cost. The cost of analyzing fertilizer samples taken from commercial applicators shall be paid by the commercial applicators if the sample analysis indicates that phosphorus content exceeds the levels authorized herein.
Subd. 3. Fertilizer content. No person, firm, corporation, franchise or commercial or noncommercial applicator, including homeowners or renters, shall apply any lawn fertilizer, liquid or granular, within the City of Shorewood that contains any amount of phosphorous or other compound containing phosphorous, such as phosphate, except:
a. The naturally occurring phosphorous in unadulterated natural or organic fertilizing products such as yard waste compost;
b. Or as otherwise provided in § 310.05.
Subd. 4. Sale of fertilizer containing phosphorous. Effective 1 January 2003, no person, firm, corporation, franchise or commercial establishment shall sell any lawn fertilizer, liquid or granular, within the City of Shorewood that contains any amount of phosphorous or other compound containing phosphorous, such as phosphate, except:
a. Small quantities of the fertilizer may be sold for use as provided in § 310.05. Displays of lawn fertilizer containing phosphorous shall be limited to 10% of the quantity of non- phosphorous lawn fertilizer on display at any given time;
b. Displays of the fertilizer must be clearly marked as containing phosphorous and must be separated from the display of other fertilizers by no less than eight feet;
c. For each sale of the fertilizer the seller shall provide the buyer with a copy of this chapter of the Shorewood City Code.
Subd. 5. Impervious surfaces and drainage ways. No person shall apply fertilizer to impervious surfaces, areas within drainage ditches or waterways.
Subd. 6. Buffer zone. Fertilizers and pesticides shall not be applied:
a. To any established natural buffer zones as outlined in § 1102.06, Subd. 2 of this code.
b. Below the ordinary high water level of any lake as established by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; or
c. Within ten feet of any wetland or water resource.
Subd. 7. Warning signs for pesticide application. All commercial or noncommercial lawn fertilizer applicators that apply pesticides to turf areas must post or affix warning signs on the property where the pesticides are applied. The warning signs shall comply with the following criteria and contain the following information:
a. 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 for at least 48 hours from the time of initial application;
b. The following information must be printed on the warning signs in contrasting colors and capitalized letters measuring at least one-half inch or in another format approved by the Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture. The signs must provide the following information:
(1) The name of the business, entity or person applying the pesticide; and
(2) The following language: “This area 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 subsection. The warning signs may include the name of the pesticide used.
c. The warning sign must be posted on a lawn or yard between two feet and five 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 and at or near the entrance to the property.
(1987 Code, § 310.04) (Am. Ord. 377, passed 1-14-2002)