(a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, any specialty fertilizer labeled for use on turf, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container, may not:

(1)    Result in an application of:

(i)    More than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of water–soluble nitrogen; or

(ii)    More than 0.9 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen, at least 20% of which shall consist of slow–release nitrogen;

(2)    Contain phosphorus, except:

(i)    For organic and natural organic fertilizer sold to a professional fertilizer applicator; or

(ii)    When specifically labeled for the following purposes:

1.    Providing nutrients to specific soils and target vegetation as determined to be necessary in accordance with a soil test that was:

A.    Conducted by a laboratory identified under § 8–803.7 of this article; and

B.    Performed no more than 3 years before the application;

2.    Establishing vegetation for the first time, such as after land disturbance, provided the application is conducted in accordance with the recommended application rates established by the State; or

3.    Reestablishing or repairing a turf area; and

(3)    Be labeled for use as a de–icer.

(b)    An enhanced–efficiency fertilizer labeled for use on turf, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container, may not:

(1)    Result in an annual application of more than 2.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen;

(2)    Result in an application of more than 80% of the annual recommended rate for total nitrogen established by the University of Maryland; or

(3)    Have a release rate of more than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen per month.

(c)    Except as provided in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, a person may not offer to sell specialty fertilizer for use on turf that, when applied in accordance with the instructions on the container:

(1)    Results in an application of:

(i)    More than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of water–soluble nitrogen; or

(ii)    More than 0.9 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen, at least 20% of which shall consist of slow–release nitrogen; and

(2)    Contains phosphorus and is intended for use on turf unless the intended use of the fertilizer is:

(i)    For application to specific soils and turf as determined to be necessary pursuant to a soil test conducted by a laboratory identified in § 8–803.7 of this article and performed no more than 3 years before the application, provided the application complies with recommended application rates established by the University of Maryland;

(ii)    For the establishment of turf for the first time, such as after land disturbance, provided the application complies with recommended application rates established by the University of Maryland; or

(iii)    For the reestablishment or repair of a turf area.

(d)    A person may offer to sell an organic or natural organic fertilizer containing phosphorus to a professional fertilizer applicator.

(e)    A person may not offer to sell enhanced–efficiency fertilizer for use on turf that:

(1)    Results in an annual application of more than 2.5 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen;

(2)    Results in an application of more than 80% of the annual recommended rate for total nitrogen established by the University of Maryland; or

(3)    Has a release rate of more than 0.7 pounds per 1,000 square feet of total nitrogen per month.

(f)    A person may not offer to sell a commercial or specialty fertilizer product for use as a de–icer.