Frequently Asked Questions
The City of Kelowna’s Pesticide Regulation Bylaw No. 9920 came into effect in 2009. The bylaw restricts the use of pesticides for nonessential, cosmetic purposes in residential yards. This includes pests in your lawn and flowerbeds, but vegetables and fruit tree are exempt.
Commonly asked questions regarding the Pesticide Regulation Bylaw:
What do you consider to be pests and pesticides?
Can I still use fertilizers?
Why does the City care about what I use in my own yard?
Which pesticides are allowed under the bylaw?
Which pesticides are NOT allowed under the bylaw?
What are some natural ways to care for my lawn?
Are there any exemptions to the bylaw?
Are strata corporations included in the residential pesticide bylaw?
Can weedkiller and/or round up be used in a campground/RV Park?
What are the commercial pesticide notifications?
How do licensed applicators apply for an exemption?
How will this bylaw be enforced?
How much are the fines?
How can I dispose of my old pesticides properly?
Do you know of any speakers that could talk about pesticides and alternatives?
Where can I find more general information about pesticides?
What do you consider to be pests and pesticides?
Pests are any unwanted organisms such as weeds, insects, fungus or rodents that may occur in your yard. A pesticide is a chemical product used to control or destroy these “pests” and include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides, as well as weed and feed type products.
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Can I still use fertilizers?
Yes, unless the fertilizer contains herbicides. The majority of weed and feed type products are not permitted because they contain pesticides not permitted under the bylaw. Read the label 
on the product under the GUARANTEE, and avoid products that contain ingredients like 2, 4-D, mecoprop or dicamba. Instead of buying these products, use a natural fertilizer made of organic compost, such as Ogogrow or Glengrow. This will increase the health of your soil and healthier lawn will be more likely to choke out weeds and retain moisture.
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Why does the City care about what I use in my own yard?
Pesticides can be dangerous, and not just to the people who use them. Scientists have identified links between high or prolonged exposure to pesticides and serious health problems. Children and pets are particularly sensitive to the effects of pesticides, as are some adults. Pesticides from your property may drift in the air or wash into streams and sewers, eventually finding their way into Okanagan Lake. These chemicals can cause harm to the aquatic habitat of our lake, which also is the source of our drinking water. For the benefit of all Kelowna residents, we need to reduce pesticide use.
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Which pesticides are allowed under the bylaw?
The provincial government created a complete list of pesticides that will be excluded from the bylaw, meaning you will be able to use them even when the bylaw is in effect.
See the pesticide bylaw Schedule 2 - Excluded Pesticides to view the list of excluded pesticides. To understand this list, you must be able to read the label on the pesticide container.
Choose pest control products only if they contain one of the following active ingredients listed under the Guarantee:
- A soap
- A mineral oil, also called dormant or horticultural oil
- Silicon dioxide, also called diatomaceous earth
- Biological pesticides including Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) and nematodes
- Borax, also called boric acid or boracic acid
- Ferric phosphate
- Acetic acid
- Pyrethrum or pyrethrins
- Fatty acids
- Sulphur
- Corn Gluten Meal
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Which pesticides are NOT allowed under the bylaw?
Avoid pest control products that contain the following active ingredients: (Note: this is not a complete list of ingredients to avoid.)
- 2,4-D
- mecoprop
- dicamba
- glyphosate
- carbaryl
- diazinon
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What are some natural ways to care for my lawn?
Some simple things you can do to increase the health of your lawn and garden is to:
- top-dress with organic compost
- aerate your lawn
- over seed with a drought resistant grass blend
- use environmentally friendly means of controlling pests
Learn more about maintaining a Healthy Yard, naturally.
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Are there any exemptions to the bylaw?
Yes. The bylaw refers to residential properties only.
The following are exempt the bylaw:
- certified pesticide applicators
- noxious weeds and insects
- fruit trees
- vegetable gardens
- agricultural land and farms
- greenhouses
- pests that transmit human diseases
- excluded Pesticides
To apply for an additional exemption, please contact ask@kelowna.ca or phone 250 469-8982.
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Are strata corporations included in the residential pesticide bylaw?
The bylaw applies to all residential lands, so strata land is included.
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Can ‘weedkiller’ and/or ‘round up’ be used in a campground/RV Park (commercial properties)?
The City’s Bylaw only applies to residential properties only; however, the City is encouraging residents to use Healthy Yard practices to grow and maintain a pesticide-free property.
What are the commercial pesticide notifications?
Residents can add their contact information to the registry and request that licensed companies provide verbal notice by telephone or in person to the application of the pesticide, either on the same day as the application or the day before the application.
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How do licensed applicators apply for an exemption?
A person may apply to the City of Kelowna’s Environment Manager for an exemption in the form prescribed for that purpose by the Environment Manager.
When granting an exemption under section 8(b) of Bylaw No. 9920, the Environment Manager may impose one or more conditions relating to: the species of Pest to which the Pesticide may be applied, the Pesticide that is allowed to be applied, the area of land on which the Pesticide may be applied, and an application prescription that outlines information such as the frequency and the period of time in which the Pesticide may be applied. (Consolidated Bylaw No. 9920)
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How will this bylaw be enforced?
As of January 2009, City of Kelowna residents are not permitted to use any pesticide products that are not included on the Excluded list. The bylaw will be enforced through complaint only.
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Are there any penalties?
Yes, a person who violates a provision of this Bylaw (Consolidated Bylaw No. 9920) commits an offence. An offence is liable upon summary conviction to a minimum fine of $500.00 and a maximum fine of $10,000.00.
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How much are the fines?
A person who violates this bylaw will be subjected to a minimum fine of $500 up to a maximum fine of $10,000.
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How can I dispose of my old pesticides properly?
Please do NOT dispose of your pesticides at the landfill or in your garbage.
Year round disposal of pesticides and other hazardous materials with a corrosive, poison or flammable symbol on the label is available at the Battery Doctors at 1972 Windsor Rd. For more information about hazardous waste disposal call Battery Doctors at 250-860-2866, or visit www.regionaldistrict.com/recycle.
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Do you know of any speakers that could talk about pesticides and alternatives?
Currently, Cathy Fuller is working with us to put on a series of Pesticide Free workshops for Kelowna residents, free of change. For more information about speakers and pesticide free advice, please email pesticidefree@kelowna.ca.
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Where can I find more general information about pesticides?
Check out the following links:
Pesticide Alternatives
Gardening for Nature
Pesticide Information
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