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Are You Licensed to Practice as a Landscaper in Jacksonville?

Landscapers in Jacksonville do not need a specific license to practice in the city. However, any Landscaper applying restricted-use pesticides will need a pesticide applicator license and a limited certification for commercial landscape maintenance certificate issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). Any individual who applies pesticides without obtaining the license and certification will violate the Pesticide Regulation And Safety and may be required to pay a fine of as much as $15,000.

FDACS issues three types of pesticide applicator license, which includes a

• Certified public applicator license,
• Certified private applicator license
• Certified commercial applicator license.

The landscaper must pass the requisite exam to apply for the pesticide applicator license. After the applicant passes the exam, FDACS sends all necessary documents to apply for a license. The applicant must, in turn, submit the completed application form and pay the pesticide applicator license fee to FDACS at the indicated mailing address in the documents. Alternatively, the applicant can complete an online pesticide applicator license application. If FDACS finds the applicant qualified for the relevant license, they will be issued the appropriate certified applicator's license after showing proof of insurance and surety bond.

To apply for the limited commercial landscape maintenance certification certificate, applicants must complete and submit the recommended application package, proof of six hours of training, a photo ID, and an examination fee to FDACS at the mailing address indicated in the form. Also, the applicants must contact the University of Florida, IFAS Publications Office at (800) 226-1764 to order the study manuals for the certification exam. Upon completing the exam, applicants must submit their exam results and proof of insurance to FDACS before their certificate is issued. For more information regarding the licensing and certification process, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (850) 617-7997.

FDACS maintains reciprocal agreements with states with the same certification standards, waiving the requirement to take the Florida certification exams for landscapers from these states so they can practice in the city. For more information regarding reciprocal certification, you can contact FDACS at (850) 617-7870. When you plan to apply pesticides to your landscape, you can use the Licensed Pesticide Applicator Search tool provided by FDACS to find a Jacksonville landscape contractor near you.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other Landscapers in Jacksonville?

Before hiring a landscaper in Jacksonville, it is always best to determine how much the landscaping services will cost you and how they fit your project budget. According to the United States Bureau of Statistics, landscapers in Jacksonville earn an average wage of $14 per hour. How much the landscaper will charge usually depends on factors like the nature and scope of the projects, cost of materials, labor required, and experience of the landscaper. Hence, it is recommended that you get estimates from at least three different landscapers to get a fair cost estimate of your planned landscaping project and avoid being overcharged by contractors.

Jacksonville landscapers earn an average wage of $30,440 annually. The table below provides a cost comparison of the average hourly wages of landscaping and groundskeeping workers in Jacksonville and other major American cities:

Do You Comply with the Jacksonville Landscape Ordinance?

Section 12 of the Jacksonville Zoning Code was designed to regulate landscaping activities across the city, including the use of land and buildings in Jacksonville. The Zoning Code also guarantees the promotion of public health, public safety, and the general welfare of the city's residents during landscaping activities.

When hiring Landscapers in Jacksonville, you should ensure that the landscaper is conversant with the provisions of the Zoning Code and how it applies to your intended landscape projects. A well-versed and qualified landscaper will ensure your landscape project does not violate the city's Zoning Code. Violating the city's Zoning Code attracts civil penalties of $50 up to $500 per violation. In addition to hiring a knowledgeable Landscaper, you may contact the Jacksonville Building Inspection Division at (904) 255-8500 for more information regarding the city's landscaping regulations and guidelines applicable to your intended landscaping project.

Will You Get the Landscaping Permit Required as per the Jacksonville Code?

The Building Inspection Division of the Jacksonville Planning and Development Department does not issue landscape permits. However, the Building Inspection Division must review a landscape plan before issuing a building permit for commercial projects. The Zoning Section of the Building Division must also determine if the planned project conforms with the landscaping requirement in the city's Zoning Code.

The applicant must prepare the landscape plan according to the proposed project's specifications. Applicants must then book an appointment with the Zoning Section of the city's Building Division to complete the relevant permit application form, pay applicable fees, and submit two copies of the landscape plans, among other relevant documents, at

Alternatively, the applicant can complete a permit application and submit the landscape plans and other required documents online via the Building Inspections Division System platform provided by the city's Building Division. Applicants must sign in with an existing account or create an account to use the online platform. After submission, the landscape plans will be forwarded to the landscape section for necessary reviews. The landscape plans will be approved if it complies with the city's Zoning Code. Before the project is completed, city officials will carry out inspections at intervals to ensure the project complies with the plans approved and the Zoning Code.

For more information on guidelines and requirements applicable to landscape plans, contact the Jacksonville Building Inspection Division at (904) 255-8500 or via email or by visiting the physical location at the above address.

What Kind of Landscaping Services Do You Offer?

Before hiring a Landscaper in Jacksonville, it is important to confirm that their specialization aligns with your proposed project. Landscapers in Jacksonville offer different types of landscaping services to city residents. This includes

• Landscape design
• Landscape installation
• Landscape maintenance
• Hardscaping
• Softscaping

You can confirm that your intended landscaper has the required skill set and experience to handle your project by requesting references from similar work carried out and their work portfolio. It would be best to ask how much they will charge you for the projects. Any landscaper who cannot provide you with all this information should not be hired for lack of transparency.

Cost estimates of readily available landscaping services in Jacksonville are provided below:

What are the Best Types of Grass for Lawns in Jacksonville?

Jacksonville is characterized by warm and temperate weather due to constant rain, averaging at 1047 mm even when the weather is dry. It is no surprise that the city is characterized by plush lawn care and landscape activities, meaning residents have an extensive range of grasses they can grow. Some of the species of grass that can grow in Jacksonville include:

• St. Augustinegrass
• Zoysiagrass
• Bahiagrass
• Centipedegrass
• Bermudagrass

Homeowners in the city are advised to seek the best hands when planning a landscape project. As such, you should hire a qualified Landscaper to help you determine the most suitable grass for your lawn and help you plant and maintain it.

To find qualified Landscapers in Jacksonville, you can use online directories from organizations like the National Association of Landscape Professionals and third-party websites like Better Business Bureau. Note that if your project involves the application of pesticides, you should ensure you confirm the licensing status of your intended landscaper via the Licensed Pesticide Applicator Search tool provided by FDACS.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for Landscapers in Jacksonville?

Landscapers in Jacksonville are exposed to several on-the-job hazards ranging from slips, trips, falls, chemical exposure, hand injuries, cuts, and even amputations. In 2020, the country recorded more than 100 fatal occupational injuries and 10,000 nonfatal occupational injuries among landscaping and groundskeeping workers. When work-related injuries occur during your project, you will be financially responsible for the hospital bill of uninsured workers and may be sued if you cannot pay the bill. Hence, it is recommended that you hire only a Landscaper with general liability insurance to shield you from incurring any of these liabilities. You should request a copy of your intended Landscapers' insurance certificate before hiring them, and you may take further steps by contacting the relevant insurance provider to confirm the insurance policy is active.

Landscapers in Jacksonville with pesticide applicator licenses are mandated to carry general liability insurance or surety bonds in an amount specified by FDACS. As such, it is crucial to confirm from the landscape contractor planning to apply pesticides on your lawn if they are insured and carrying a surety bond. You can contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at (850) 617-7997 to confirm if your intended landscaper is duly insured and carries the required surety bond.