Pesticide Use Control Bylaw
Many Conventional Pesticides Can No Longer Be Used For Garden And Lawn Beautification On Residential And City Land
Across Canada, municipal and provincial governments are taking action to reduce the use of conventional pesticides and their potential impacts on the environment and human health. As part of the City’s Enhanced Pesticide Management Program, Richmond Council adopted the Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 8514 in October 2009, restricting non-essential, cosmetic pesticide use on Residential Property and City-owned land.
Pesticides include such products as herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and combined fertilizer / herbicide “weed and feed” type products. The City provides information, workshops and a variety of resources to help residents learn more natural ways of maintaining healthy lawns and gardens.
- Natural Yard and Garden Care
- Pesticides and Hazardous Products Disposal
- Landscapers and Lawn Care Professionals Information
Getting to Know the Bylaw
The Bylaw regulates pesticides used for what is often called the "non-essential" or "cosmetic" control of pests in lawns and gardens on residential properties and City-owned land.
Pesticides include products such as herbicides (for weeds), insecticides (for insects), fungicides (fungal diseases), and combined fertilizer/herbicide “weed and feed” type products.
Details on the Bylaw can be found in these documents:
Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 8514
Pesticide Use Control Bylaw Info Sheet (English)
Pesticide Use Control Bylaw Info Sheet (Chinese)
Safer alternatives to conventional pesticide are available, effective and permitted under the Bylaw. To recognize these products, compare the “active ingredient” on the label of the product to the list of permitted pesticides
Schedule A: Excluded Pesticides. The Bylaw also permits the use of biological pest controls, including nematodes, lady beetles and micro-organisms such as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacteria and Sclerotinia minor fungi.
For more information on Pesticide Legislation in BC, refer to the following sites:
- BC Community Charter - Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction - Environment and Wildlife Regulation
- Integrated Pest Management Regulation and Integrated Pest Management Act
- Cosmetic Use of Pesticides in British Columbia Public Consultation
- Pest Management Regulatory Agency – Health Canada
- Pesticide Control Products Act