Florida fertilizer rules by county: Osceola, Polk and Lake

Fertilizer rules in Central Florida depend on the county. Unincorporated Lake County and Orange County ban nitrogen and phosphorus from June 1 through September 30. Osceola and Polk have no summer ban, but both restrict fertilizer near water and in bad weather. Cities can be stricter than their county. Rules below were checked on October 7, 2026.

Why do these rules exist?

Florida’s lakes and springs suffer when nitrogen and phosphorus wash off lawns during summer storms. Counties adopted ordinances based on the state model to keep fertilizer out of the water. Following them also protects your lawn: a heavy rain right after fertilizing wastes the product.

What is the rule in Osceola County (Celebration, ChampionsGate)?

Osceola’s ordinance 2015-05 has no summer blackout in the county summary. It does prohibit fertilizer during tropical storm or hurricane watches or warnings, and requires a 3-foot setback from lakes and wetlands when a deflector shield is used (10 feet is voluntary without one). Professionals applying fertilizer need UF/IFAS GI-BMP training, and clippings and yard waste must stay out of storm drains.

What is the rule in Polk County (Davenport)?

Polk has no summer ban either. Its ordinance keeps nitrogen and phosphorus 10 feet from water and wetlands, limits each application to 1 pound of slow-release or 0.5 pound of water-soluble nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, and bans fertilizer before sodding and for 30 days after. It also bans application during severe weather or when more than 2 inches of rain is likely within 24 hours. Spills on pavement must be cleaned up and clippings must never be blown into drains or water.

What is the rule in Lake County (Clermont)?

Unincorporated Lake County is the strictest of the three. From June 1 to September 30, no nitrogen or phosphorus on residential turf. From October 1 to May 31, nitrogen must be at least 50 percent slow-release and phosphorus-free, with a 15-foot fertilizer-free buffer from water and wetlands. Nothing goes on saturated soil or when heavy rain is forecast within 24 hours. We have not confirmed whether the City of Clermont adopted its own seasonal rule, so treat Lake County’s dates as the safe guide until the city says otherwise.

What about Orange County and Four Corners?

Orange County bans nitrogen and phosphorus from June 1 to September 30, and from October 1 to May 31 requires at least 65 percent slow-release nitrogen and no fertilizer within 25 feet of waterways. Its page does not say whether this applies countywide or only in unincorporated areas. Four Corners sits on four counties, so the rule depends on which side of the line your address is on.

When should I fertilize, then?

UF/IFAS puts the first application in early April, after green-up, and the last around early October, with no more than 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet each time. Yearly totals for Central Florida are 2 to 5 pounds for St. Augustine, 1 to 2 for Bahia and 2 to 4 for Zoysia. Phosphorus only after a soil test shows the need. In Lake and Orange, that leaves April and May and the weeks around October 1.

Do I need a license to fertilize my own lawn?

No. The training requirement applies to people applying fertilizer professionally. You still have to follow the setbacks and weather rules. Our fertilization service follows the rule for your address, and the Florida lawn calendar lists the month-by-month tasks. Check your city page (Davenport, Celebration, Clermont) for local notes, then request a quote or call (407) 577-6400.