Public Works FAQs

Yes, organic fertilizer nutrients come from only the remains or by-product of an organism. Organic fertilizers rely on soil organisms to break them down to release nutrients, and usually this occurs over a long period of time. Organic fertilizers release at a slower rate than traditional quick release fertilizers. It might take a while longer for the nutrients to be released to the plant, but typically lawns and landscapes grown with organic fertilizers can produce plants with a higher tolerance for drought, disease, and insect resistance. Using organic fertilizers also costs less and takes up less time.

Nitrogen, which helps with the development of chlorophyll, is what gives plants their green foliage. Phosphorus helps with bloom development. Potassium aids with photosynthesis and controls the exchange of carbon dioxide.

Using too much fertilizer and applying it improperly are the biggest problems with fertilizer and water quality. Too much fertilizer is more likely to find its way into local water sources or groundwater. Too much fertilizer can also harm your lawn and landscape by burning or wilting plants

First, use fertilizers that do not violate the fertilizer ordinance, no phosphorous (15-0-15) and at least 50% Slow Release Nitrogen. Select the right type of fertilizer for your lawn and landscape. Consider that much of Florida's soil contains plenty of phosphorus so you may not need to add this nutrient; only add during non-blackout months with a verified soil test showing a phosphorus deficiency. Second, apply fertilizer only when you really need it, if you need it at all. Make sure not to over-fertilize, as this can harm your lawn and cause runoff into local waters. Third, apply the fertilizer properly, being careful to avoid spills and avoid bodies of water.

A slow-release form controls the nitrogen's release, which lessens the chance of nutrients getting into the water resources (groundwater, lakes, bays, etc.). Slow-release forms also need fewer applications because they release the nitrogen slowly over longer periods of time. Regular (quick- release) fertilizer is more likely to reach water resources as they release nitrogen very quickly, and are more susceptible to runoff and leaching into groundwater.

The best time is twice a year, during spring (April/May) and fall (October/November). There is a blackout period in the summer from June 1- September 30, where fertilizers containing Nitrogen or Phosphorous cannot be used. During the summer it is recommended to use Summer Safe Products like iron to green up the lawn without getting the excess growth provided by nitrogen.

Recent laws prevent City governments from regulating when and what fertilizers retailers can sell. It is the responsibility of the applicator to abide by all regulations set forth in the City of Port St. Lucie fertilizer ordinance. Violations of the fertilizer ordinance can result in monetary fines.

No, the Ordinance does not apply to potted plants.

Absolutely. Your landscaper should be able and willing to tell you what components (N, P, K, etc.) are in the fertilizer they use on your property. You should also ask your landscaper if they know about the ordinance, and refer them to the City of Port St. Lucie webpage for more information.

Download the following document, How to Calculate Slow Release Nitrogen.(PDF, 116KB)

Fertilizers with phosphorous (N-P-K) are not allowed unless you have obtained a soil test that indicates a phosphorous deficiency. The results of the soil test must be made available if requested. From June 1 - September 30 fertilizers with nitrogen or phosphorous cannot be applied, as this is the rainy season and blackout period for the City of Port St. Lucie. During this period Summer Safe products like compost and micronutrient amendments (Fe, Mg, Mn, K) are recommended.

Not necessarily, not all lawns require nitrogen & phosphorous to be healthy. Nutrients such as iron can be used to green-up lawns without the excess growth nitrogen provides.

Nutrient levels in reclaimed water are much higher than in other irrigation water sources; therefore, if irrigating with reclaimed water you may not need additional fertilizer. While reclaimed water offers many benefits, it also can lead to landscaping and pollution problems if not properly managed. Contact your reclaimed water supplier to get information on nutrient content.

Yes, homeowners may be fined if they violate the Fertilizer Ordinance(PDF, 2MB).

The blackout period coincides with our rainy season. From June 1- September 30 our weather is unpredictable and rain is very frequent. The landscapes don’t have enough time to absorb the nutrients before a shower washes them off your property and into the nearest waterbody, contributing to algae blooms and fish kills.

Nitrogen and phosphorous are the two nutrients that are most commonly found in excess in waterbodies, contributing to algae blooms and fish kills. Fertilizers are labeled N-P-K (nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium). Make sure your fertilizer is in compliance with the ordinance(PDF, 2MB).

You can report street light trouble by reporting directly to Florida Power & Light's Website.

The resident can contact FPL and request they come out and block the light from shining into their home. In previous instances, FPL has gone out and either put up a barrier/shield or painted the section of the light shining into the home black so that it still lights up the street but not the home.

FPL has final authorization for the placement of the proposed lights. If they determine a different location for the streetlight they will relocate the proposed light. FPL is not required to ask or even advise the City of said relocation. This does not happen often but does happen periodically. FPL always has the final say on light placement.

If there are trees needing to be trimmed to facilitate the installation of the new streetlight, FPL will contact the Public Works Department who will then contact a licensed and insured arborist to trim the necessary branches/trees.

A new pole must be installed at the front of the property along the road to allow for the streetlight to be installed. The power supply will be taken from the back of the property to the front. Normally FPL will run wires in between two lots/properties in order to accomplish this.

The City’s Public Works Department proposes the lighting layout map using existing poles, transformers & outdoor lights where possible. Florida Power & Light has the final say when they begin installation.

Not necessarily. The election results are counted based on the number of ballots returned. If only 12 ballots are returned, 7 in favor and 5 against, the election is successful. If 12 ballots are returned, 6 in favor and 6 against, the election fails.

Yes, all property owners are mailed a ballot to cast their vote for streetlights.

No, only the property owner of record can request street lights for that street.

We encourage property owners to consider picking up trash/litter along the public way near their homes. If this is an activity that you would like to consider, please call us at (772) 871-5103 so that we can provide you with safety requirements for conducting this activity. We would also like to recognize your neighborhood efforts by registering you in our program.

Download the Adopt-A-Street Application(PDF, 96KB).

An application can be picked up at the Public Works Department located at 450 SW Thornhill Dr., Port St. Lucie, FL 34984. We can also mail the application. Our phone number is (772) 871-5103.

All that is needed is your time and willingness to conduct litter cleanups at least 12 times a year. Public Works will provide you with the litter tongs, trash bags, safety vest, training, and pickup service in order to dispose of the collected waste.

Once you have conducted your cleanup, you will need to complete a Litter Removal Form. There is a question on the form asking if you need to have the trash bags picked up by the city. Simply check the box when you submit the form, and pickup will be arranged.

We ask that Adopt-a-Street litter cleanups be conducted at least twelve times a year. We encourage litter collection as frequently as possible.

KPSLB staff can assist you with the search and identification of an acceptable location for adoption. Call us at (772) 871-5103 for assistance.

It is recommended that one mile of street be considered for adoption. This helps to reduce the annual cost of manufacturing and maintaining the signs that are posted along the roadway.

Yes. You can call (772) 871-5100 or use the 1PSL App on your smartphone to report illicit discharges to waterways.

SWPPP stands for Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan. This plan includes all of the Best Management Practices that the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) recommends. The SWPPP can be submitted alone or all the information from the FDEP's Generic SWPPP must be incorporated into the construction plans.

An NOI stands for Notice of Intent. It is required to issue an Engineering Permit for projects greater than one acre. The NOI needs to be filled out and sent to FDEP (Federal Department of Environmental Protection) to work under the Generic Permit for Stormwater Discharge from Large and Small Construction Activities.

You can find these items on the Web:

• Notice of Intent
• Generic Permit and Regulations

NPDES stands for National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. It is a program that was developed in 1972. It was originally put into place to focus on reducing pollutants in discharges from industrial wastewater and municipal sewage. In 1987, there was an amendment called the "Water Quality Act" that established a phased approach to stormwater permitting. Phase 1 was for municipalities with more than 100,000 people and construction activities more than five acres. Phase 2, which took place in May 2003, is for municipalities with less than 100,000 people and construction activities of more than one acre. Port Saint Lucie is under Phase 2.

A bond is used if there is a critical need, such as no sod available or no liner available to complete the house. You need to contact the Public Works Department (772) 871-5177 for this request. Our department will review this, to make sure that it qualifies for a bond. If it qualifies, we will contact you and let you know the dollar amount of the bond. Bonding is covered in the City Code under Section 150.402(3).

The amount of the bond is determined by the City Engineer and it will be double the cost of the actual work. You will then come into our department with a check and a letter of request for the bond. You should have the name, address and phone number of your company on the letter, along with the legal description and address of the property being bonded. Once this is completed, you will have 30 days to complete this property (Please contact our department if an extension is required). When the property is ready, call our department to schedule an inspection. After our inspection has been signed off, we will release the bond check back to you. Please allow one to two weeks for the release of this check from our Finance Department. We will contact you once the check has arrived in our department.

Many graders choose to install 6" diameter sch40 PVC pipe to solve the problem. If you choose to do this, please contact the Public Works Department (772) 871-5177 to have an inspection done, after the pipe has been installed. Make sure to keep the pipe exposed, since the grades and joints need to be inspected prior to backfill, and prior to any Public Works inspection for the rest of the property.

A Driveway Permit is necessary when you modify the driveway in the right-of-way. You will need to submit a site plan showing the location and the size of the modification. Please download a copy of the Driveway Modification Application form(PDF, 932KB), which is required with each modification submitted. Once the paperwork is submitted, it is given to our inspectors, who go to the site to inspect the condition of the culvert pipe. We will contact you to let you know if the culvert pipe will need to be replaced.

**Please note that the existing driveway cannot be taken out and modifications cannot be done prior to approval of the driveway modification permit. For more information, you may also call the Public Works Department at (772) 871-5177.

If you are at the Final Grade stage and cannot get the property to slope properly, call the Public Works Department (772) 871-5177 to schedule a courtesy inspection. A Public Works representative will go to the job, at their earliest convenience, and take a look at the job site. The Public Works representative will then contact you with several options to get the property to grade properly. You can then choose which option to use for the job site. A second inspection does not need to be done at this point.

Once the driveway stakeout is completed, you can come to the Public Works Department to pick up the culvert stakeout cut sheet. They are located in the front lobby of the department on the wall rack alphabetically. If you have supplied an email address, the stakeout information can be emailed once completed (at your request).

Yes, as long as the schedule for the next day is not already full. Just be sure that the contractor has addressed all rejection issues before rescheduling. As a note, these fees can now be paid online.

Check the job site to see if your permit card was signed or a rejection slip was left. Permit cards should be in the permit box. If you do not see either of these, you can call the Public Works Department at (772) 871-5177 after 3:00 p.m. The results will be posted to the PANDA system after 4:00 p.m. There is also an online search that is now available to check on inspections. To do the search you will need to have the full permit number (including the dash): https://cobrapublicweb.cityofpsl.com/Inspections/Search.

No. You can schedule inspections by calling the Public Works Department at (772) 871-5177. Inspections should be scheduled no later than 2:45 p.m. to have it set for the next business day. If a reinspect fee needs to be paid, this portion can be done online (we receive email confirmation that the fee has been paid). This fee needs to be paid prior to calling for the reinspection.

No. You can schedule stakeouts via fax at (772) 871-5289, or by calling the Public Works Department at (772) 871-5177. Stakeouts are completed in the order they are requested.

The turnaround time may take up to 7 business days for approval. The Public Works Department will call or email you once the plot plans have been approved.

The Public Works Department accepts cash, check, and we also now accept credit cards. Credit card payments can be taken by phone or they can be paid online.

No. There are several areas that do not require submittal to the Public Works Department. The following list can go directly to the Building Department:

• Bay St. Lucie
• Charleston Oaks
• Kitching Cove
• Lake Lucie Estates
• Osprey Ridge
• Sawgrass Lakes
• South River Shores
• Vikings Landing / Lookout

You need to begin with the Public Works Department.

Yes! Online permitting is now available by going to https://reg.cityofpsl.com/. This will take you to Port St. Lucie Single Sign-On, where you register an account to begin using the system. Information on how to utilize the features is also available on the website.