State by State COVID-19 Guidance landscape professionals
Last Updated on March 26 at 2:13 pm
The following information provides updates on current “lockdown” or “shelter in place” order that have been issued by State and Local Governments. For the landscape industry it extremely important to understand our ability to continue to work in these various states and localities. For your reference we have provided the most current information for each state and if there is an order in place we have provided provisions of that order that are the most pertinent to the landscape industry. This information can be used as a reference for landscape professionals to confirm whether their services are essential and can continue to conduct business. In states that we do not have explicit language exempting the landscape industry we are continuing to communicate with those officials to provide further evidence of the essential nature of landscape services. The provisions cited below that do not explicitly exempt landscape services does infer the essential services the industry provides through maintenance, repair, sanitation and other provisions associated with the landscape industry and through our continued support of other essential businesses. This remains a rapidly developing situation and we will update this website as we learn new information. Specifically concerning the Department of Homeland Security, Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response in determining which industries are “essential” we believe as an industry we fit within this definition for many reasons detailed in our letter. We received further clarification from Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Black that the landscape industry is included. “Georgia is blessed to have an incredibly diverse agricultural sector that includes everything from food producers and processors to landscape and green industries,” Black said. “We encourage local governments and decision makers to consider the central role all these industries and businesses play in our state and local economies as they make key decisions during this response.”
Alabama To date, no state order is in place that would impact landscape professionals
Alaska No guidance at this time.
Arizona On March 23, 2020 an order issued by the Governor restricting the continued operation of all non-essential businesses in the state became effective. The provision that includes landscape services is: Essential Infrastructure Operations - …building management and maintenance; landscape management… Critical trades – Building and Construction Tradesmen and Tradeswomen and other trades including but not limited to plumbers, electricians, exterminators cleaning, and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff and operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation and essential operation of residences, essential activities and essential businesses and operations. The Order: https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/eo_2021_0.pdf
Arkansas To date, no state order is in place that would impact landscape professionals
California On March 19, 2020 an order issued by the Governor restricting the continued operation of all non-essential businesses in the state became effective. California initially followed the guidance provided by the Department of Homeland Security, Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response in determining which industries are “essential” and can therefore remain in operation. On March 22, California created the same list as DHS and made some minor amendments which can be found here. The provision that includes landscape services is: “Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences” In addition, NALP’s position can be read here which identifies the role the landscape industry is playing to protect other essential critical workers while also protecting public health and safety. The order can be found here: https://covid19.ca.gov/img/Executive-Order-N-33-20.pdf
Colorado On March 24, 2020 an order issued by the Governor requiring noncritical workplaces in Colorado to reduce their in-person workforce by 50% became effective. The order is currently set to expire on April 17, 2020. The order does not directly impact the landscape industry as long as policies can be put into place to permit teleworking and practicing social distancing. The policy does not apply to essential businesses described in guidance issued by the governor:
Critical Services, including trash and recycling, mail, shipping, laundromats, child care, building cleaning and maintenance, auto supply and repair, warehouses/distribution, funeral homes, crematoriums, cemeteries, animal shelters and rescues
Public Safety Services like law enforcement, fire prevention and response, EMTs, security, disinfection, cleaning, building code enforcement, snow removal, auto repair.
Guidance: https://www.postindependent.com/news/colorado-governor-issues-order-to-reduce-in-person-workforce-of-noncritical-workplaces-by-50-asks-people-to-limit-movement-in-public/ The Order: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1O1EDCY6-A6QBKxzDImCSF8bBBdOOI3Km/view
Connecticut On March 22, 2020 an order issued by the Governor restricting the continued operation of all non-essential businesses in the state became effective. The order is currently set to expire on April 23, 2020. Connecticut has followed the guidance provided by the Department of Homeland Security, Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response in determining which industries are “essential” and can therefore remain in operation. The provision that includes landscape services is: “Workers such as plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences” In addition, NALP’s position can be read here which identifies the role the landscape industry is playing to protect other essential critical workers while also protecting public health and safety. Order: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Office-of-the-Governor/Executive-Orders/Lamont-Executive-Orders/Executive-Order-No-7H.pdf?la=en
Delaware On March 24, 2020 an order issued by the Governor restricting the continued operation of all non-essential businesses in the state became effective. The order is currently set to expire on April 23, 2020. The provision that includes landscape service is: “Administrative Support & Services – Services to Buildings and Dwellings” (NAICS Code 5617) The list specifically included the NACIS codes to assist in making determinations and the landscape industry falls within this NAICS code, as it is 561730. List of Essential Businesses: https://coronavirus.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/177/2020/03/Delaware-list-of-essential-and-nonessential-businesses-March-22-2020-2.pdf Order: https://governor.delaware.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2020/03/Fifth-Modification-to-State-of-Emergency-03222020.pdf
Florida To date, no state order is in place that would impact landscape professionals. The following localities have enacted restrictions on businesses: Miami Dade County On March 19, 2020 an order issued by the Mayor restricting the continued operation of all non-essential businesses in the state became effective. The provision that includes landscape service is: Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care businesses The Order: https://www.miamidade.gov/information/library/coronavirus-emergency-order-07-20-businesses.pdf Broward County On March 23, 2020 an order issued by the Mayor restricting the continued operation of all non-essential businesses in the state became effective. The provision that includes landscape service is: Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care businesses The Order: https://www.broward.org/CoronaVirus/Documents/BerthaHenryExecutiveOrder20-01.pdf Palm Beach County On March 26, 2020, Palm Beach County issued Emergency Order Number 2 stating that All noncritical retail and commercial business locations are ordered closed except to the extent necessary to perform Minimum Basic Operations. The provision that includes landscape services is found in Section 4(u), stating Landscape and pool care businesses, including residential landscape and pool care services, provided however, all employees must be educated on CDC and FDOH guidelines including social distancing and such businesses are responsible for ensuring compliance with such guidelines and in particular, with regard to interactions with customers age 60 or over. The order: http://discover.pbcgov.org/PDF/COVID19/Emergency-Order-Number-2.pdf
Georgia To date, no state order is in place that would impact landscape professionals. Please reference Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Black’s statement confirming the essential nature of all Landscape Services. The following localities have enacted restrictions on businesses as of March 25, 2020: City of Savanah confirmed all landscape/horticulture/turf and related businesses are considered essential. Athens-Clarke County confirmation of Essential Business: "Landscape service providers, landscape supply and retail garden centers, irrigation, chemical applicators and related businesses are included." Brookhaven County confirmation of Essential Business: "Landscaping services are an essential part of the residential construction business and is exempt." Cobb County confirmation of Essential Business: "Service providers that maintain or ameliorate the exterior of facilities or grounds where there is social distancing and a limit of no more than 5 employees. Examples: grass cutting...tree cutting or pruning, landscaping, etc." City of Stockbridge confirming Landscape services are not restricted from operating.
Hawaii On March 23, 2020, Governor Ige ordered the entire state to stay at home and work from home beginning March 25 through April 30. Hawaii sites the guidance provided by the Department of Homeland Security, Memorandum on Identification of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response in determining which industries are “essential” and can therefore remain in operation; but Hawaii also enhances the list. The provision that includes landscape services is: Critical trades. Building and Construction Tradesmen and Tradeswomen, and other trades including but not limited to plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC, painting, moving and relocation services, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, essential activities, and essential businesses and operations; The order: https://governor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2003162-ATG_Third-Supplementary-Proclamation-for-COVID-19-signed.pdf
Idaho On March 25, 2020, the governor issued an order to self-isolate, incorporating the CISA guidance. The provision that includes landscape services is Section 8 (f)(ix) “Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, landscapers, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, essential activities, and essential businesses.” The order: https://coronavirus.idaho.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/127/2020/03/statewide-stay-home-order_032520.pdf
Illinois On March 21, 2020 an order issued by the Governor restricting the continued operation of all non-essential businesses in the state became effective.The order will remain in effect until April 7, 2020. The provision that includes landscape services is: Critical trades Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, cleaning and janitorial staff, security, etc. The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity issued a document to assist businesses further determine their status. The document specifically includes landscape services. Can residential and commercial lawn service remain open? Yes. Many landscape projects will fit under an exemption such as construction, agriculture, or public works. Outdoor landscape projects generally will provide for good social distancing that poses little risk of transmission, but it still is important to ensure the ability to wash or sanitize hands and take other precautions. https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/SmallBizAssi