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May 15, 2026
—The measure prohibits fertilizers from being used during the rainy season —
Miami Beach, FL — As the region enters the rainy season, the City of Miami Beach is reminding residents, landscapers and businesses that the city’s fertilizer ban is now in effect from May 15 through November 1. Adopted unanimously in 2021, the ordinance remains one of the strongest in Florida and is a key tool in protecting the health of Biscayne Bay, which continues to face environmental stress from nutrient pollution. Additionally, Miami-Dade County has a fertilizer ban during this time.
“Biscayne Bay is one of our most important natural resources, and protecting it requires consistent action from all of us,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “These fertilizer rules are simple, effective, and essential to preventing the nutrient overloads that could contribute to algal blooms and fish kills.”
Fertilizers containing nitrogen or phosphorus may not be applied during the restricted period, when heavy rainfall and flooding increase the likelihood of pollutants washing into local waterways. The ordinance also established 20‑foot fertilizer‑free zones along waterways and stormwater drains year‑round to reduce the risk of nutrient runoff entering the bay.
“Excess nitrogen from fertilizers fuels algae blooms, degrades water quality, and contributes to devastating fish kills that threaten the health of our ecosystem,” shared Miami Beach Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez, who serves on the Miami-Dade County Biscayne Bay Watershed Management Advisory Board. “Biscayne Bay is our Central Park, it is part of our identity, and our quality of life. Observing the fertilizer ban during the rainy season is one simple but meaningful way every resident can help protect our bay for future generations.”
While education and compliance are the city’s top priorities, fines and penalties collected for violations would be deposited into the Miami Beach Biscayne Bay Protection Trust Fund, which supports environmental assessments, water conservation initiatives, pollution‑prevention programs, water‑quality improvements, and marine and coastal ecosystem restoration projects that safeguard the city’s water resources.
The City of Miami Beach encourages all residents and landscape professionals to follow the ordinance and adopt responsible landscaping practices that help preserve Biscayne Bay for future generations.
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