Pesticide Bylaw

Delta's Pesticide Use Control Bylaw No. 6788, 2009 regulates the use of pesticides for cosmetic purposes and prohibits the use of chemical herbicides, insecticides and fungicides for aesthetic reasons. The Pesticide Bylaw does not apply to agricultural and commercial parcels of land.

Check out Delta's free sustainable gardening workshops to learn about sustainable, pesticide-free gardening.

For questions relating to this bylaw, please contact Climate Action & Environment at 604-946-3253 or by email.

Disposal of Unused Pesticides

Never dispose of leftover pesticides down the sink, into the toilet, or down a sewer or street drain. Pesticides may interfere with the operation of wastewater treatment systems and/or pollute waterways. Pesticides may harm fish, plants, and other living things if they reach a waterway.

Pesticides are accepted at:

Scott Road Bottle Depot
Unit #2-12111-86 Avenue in Surrey, B.C.

IMPORTANT: the Bottle Depot only accepts pesticides in containers that show both the poison symbol, if initially present, and the P.C.P. Act registration number. Any pesticide in a container that does not have these two pieces of information will not be accepted. Unlabeled or unknown pesticides will only be accepted by hazardous waste companies (fee required). Therefore, never transfer pesticides out of their original containers.

For more information, visit ReGeneration.ca.

Reports and Related Documents

2010 Sept 2
Council Report: Delta's Pesticide Use Control Bylaw: Education Initiatives
2009 Nov 4
Council Report: Pesticide Use Control Bylaw and Public Education and Awareness Program

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is a pest?

"Pest" means an injurious, noxious or troublesome living organism. It does not include a virus, bacteria, fungus or internal parasite that exists on or in humans or animals.
What is a pesticide?

A pesticide is a microorganism or chemical substance that is used to prevent, destroy, repel or mitigate a pest.
What does it mean to use a pesticide for a cosmetic purpose?

A cosmetic purpose is to use a pesticide to maintain the aesthetic appeal of ornamental landscaping such as outdoor trees, shrubs, flowers, and turf.
What pesticides can be used for cosmetic purposes?
Exemptions do exist under the bylaw for some natural pesticide alternatives, including:
- Certain horticulture oils
- Soaps
- Acetic acid (vinegar)
- Diatomaceous earth
- Corn gluten meal
- Biological pesticides
- All pesticides listed under Schedules 2 and 5 of the Integrated Pest Management Regulation
Read and carefully follow instructions for dosages, application methods and treatment intervals. If you use a lawn and garden care service, make sure they are accredited or offer a pesticide-free program.
What pesticides cannot be used for cosmetic purposes?
Common prohibited ingredients include:
- 2,4-D
- Mecoprop
- Dicamba
- Benomyl
- Bendiocarb
- Chlorothalonil
- Glyphosate
- Carbaryl
- Quintozene
This is not an exhaustive list.
Are there any exemptions to the Pesticide Use Control Bylaw?
Traditional pesticides may be used for the following purposes:
1. To control pests that pose a danger to human or animal health
2. To control pests that transmit human diseases
3. To control pests that impact agriculture or forestry
4. To purify drinking water
5. To control noxious pests: noxious weeds, rats and mice
6. To control an infestation
7. To control pests inside a building
8. To prevent the deterioration of hard landscapes and structures
9. To control pests on lands used for public utilities
If you intend to use a traditional pesticide for an exempted use, you must read the product label to ensure the pesticide can be used for that purpose; always follow the application directions.
What is an infestation?

The Pesticide Use Control Bylaw defines an infestation as “the presence of pests in numbers or under conditions that involves an immediate risk to structural damage to property or significant financial loss in respect to the use of the property.” This determination can only be made by individuals who are sufficiently trained in pest identification, such as a provincially-certified pesticide applicator or a professional biologist, agronomist, or entomologist. The individuals/companies who make this determination must provide Delta, upon request from the City, with written and photographic evidence of the infestation present so as to justify traditional pesticide use: professional qualification, the pest(s) identified, extent of the infestation, and estimated financial cost if the pest(s) cannot be reasonably or effectively controlled by any other means.

NOTE: pesticide applications cannot be used to prevent an infestation; the infestation must be currently present and documented for the chemical application to be compliant with the Bylaw.
What is a noxious weed?

These are plants species specifically given this designation by the provincial Weed Control Regulation. Common garden weeds such as dandelions, clover, crabgrass, or buttercup are not considered noxious.
Can Delta ban farmers from using pesticides?

No, Delta cannot enact any bylaws that restrict the use of pesticides on agricultural or commercial land. The Pesticide Bylaw is only in effect on residential properties and on public lands.
Tips for a healthy lawn
- Start with the right soil
  Soil should have a balanced or neutral pH (6.0-7.0). Purchase a simple, easy-to-use soil testing kit from your local garden centre.
- Select the right plants for the right spot
  Always buy from a reputable nursery or garden centre. They have the knowledge to advise you which plants are best suited to our climate and your garden's specific conditions. Visit Grow Green Guide for a list of plants that thrive in our region. Visit the Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver for a list of invasive plants to avoid in B.C.
- Aerate or dethatch if needed
  Give your grass some room to breathe. While earthworm activity is often enough, soil can still become compacted, restricting oxygen, nutrients and water access to roots. If a screwdriver doesn't go into your lawn easily, you need to aerate. A pesticide-free lawn will have little or no thatch.
- Overseed if desired
  A dense lawn is a healthy lawn. After adding your compost layer, dethatching, liming and aerating, sowing new seed will make your lawn denser and help prevent weeds from getting established.
- Plant a variety of grass species
  With a little diversity, your lawn will tolerate a wider range of growing conditions and be less susceptible to pests. Your local garden centre can help you choose cultivars that do well in various conditions.
- Mow high and regularly
  Mow when the grass is dry to a height of 6-8 cm (2.5-3") and be sure the blades are sharp.
- Leave clippings on the lawn
  Leaving grass clippings on the lawn can provide up to 1/3 of the nitrogen the lawn needs and also reduce the need for fertilizer.
- Water thoroughly but not often
  About 2.5 cm (1") once or twice a week early in the morning or evening is all you need. More frequent watering can starve the soil of oxygen and result in shallow roots. Be sure to follow Delta's lawn sprinkling regulations.
- Pull those weeds
  A healthy lawn is very resistant to weeds, but if a few happen to get established, just dig them out by hand or with a small tool before they go to seed.

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Pesticides are accepted at:

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