HomeMy Public PortalAbout351CITY OF MEDINA
ORDINANCE NO.351
AN ORDINANCE ADDING A NEW SECTION
520 TO THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
RELATING TO THE SALE AND USE OF
TURF FERTILIZER CONTAINING PHOSPHORUS
The City Council of the City of Medina Ordains as Follows:
SECTION I: A new section 520 et semc . is added to the Code of Ordinances as follows:
Section 520.01. Purpose. Scientific evidence shows that the water quality of lakes, streams and
wetlands may be adversely affected by the use of turf fertilizers containing phosphorus on nearby
lands as a result of storm water runoff or other causes. The purpose of this ordinance is to regulate
the sale and use of turf fertilizer containing phosphorous in order to improve the quality of ground
and surface water in the city.
Section 520.03. Sale of Turf Fertilizer.
Subd. 1. No person, firm, corporation, commercial establishment or other entity may
sell any turf fertilizer, liquid or granular, within Medina that contains any amount of phosphorous or
other compound containing phosphorous, such as phosphate, unless:
(a) phosphorous -free turf fertilizer is also available for sale at the same location;
(b)
phosphorous -free turf fertilizer and turf fertilizer with phosphorous are separately
displayed with each display being clearly marked as to whether the fertilizer
contains phosphorous;
(c) displays of phosphorous -free turf fertilizer are of equal or greater size and
prominence as displays of other turf fertilizers; and
(d) a sign or brochure is on prominent display next to any fertilizer display containing
Medina's regulations concerning the use of turf fertilizer with phosphorous.
Subd. 2. For purposes of this ordinance, "turf' means noncrop land planted in closely
mowed, managed grasses including, but not limited to, residential and commercial residential
property, private golf courses, and property owned by federal, state, or local units of government,
including parks, recreation areas, and public golf courses. Turf does not mean pasture, hayland,
hay, turf grown on turf farms, or any other form of agricultural production.
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Section 520.05. Use of Turf Fertilizer.
Subd. 1. No person, firm, corporation, commercial establishment or other entity may
apply or allow or cause the application of a fertilizer containing the plant nutrient phosphorous to
turf in Medina, except under conditions listed in subdivision 2.
Subd. 2. Subdivision 1 does not apply when:
(a) a tissue, soil, or other test by a laboratory or method approved by the Minnesota
commissioner of agriculture and performed within the last three years indicates that
the levels of available phosphorous in the soil is insufficient to support healthy turf
growth; or
(b)
the property owner or an agent of the property owner is first establishing turf via seed
or sod procedures, and only during the first growing season.
Subd. 3. Applications of phosphorous fertilizer authorized under subdivision 2 must
not exceed rates recommended by the University of Minnesota and approved by the Minnesota
commissioner of agriculture.
Section 520.07. Violations. Violations of the provisions of this ordinance shall be a
petty misdemeanor.
SECTION II. This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption and publication.
Adopted by the city council of the city of Medina this 16th day of July, 2002.
City of Medina
Attest: , , n
douiji,GL. `�
Laura Sulander, Acting Clerk -Treasurer
James Lane, Acting Mayor
Published in the South Crow River News on the day of July, 2002.
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