Pesticide Bylaw Details

Flowers in bloom in a Surrey display garden.

Pesticide Bylaw application

The Pesticide Bylaw (PDF. New window) applies to

  • residential properties, even to provincially certified pesticide applicators.
  • to town house complexes and manufactured home parks.
  • renters and homeowners

However, the bylaw doesn't apply to any other property types like agricultural lands, wood lots and golf courses.

Permitted pesticides

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. However, also research your pesticide alternatives to avoid using pesticides altogether.

See the pesticide bylaw Schedule 2 for the list of permitted pesticides. To understand this list, you must be able to read the label on the pesticide container.

Permitted products:

  • Algicides and bacteriacides used in swimming pools, wading pools, whirlpools and ornamental fountains
  • Animal or bird repellents
  • Anti-fouling paints
  • Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) ( a naturally occurring bacteria for caterpillar control)
  • Bait insecticides, whereby the bait is enclosed by the manufacturer in a plastic or metal container made in a way that prevents or minimizes access to the bait by humans or animals; (e.g. ant baits)
  • Borax (anti fungal compound)
  • Bordeaux mixture and other sulphur compounds (fungal control)
  • Capsaicin (extract from chilli peppers, control for squirrels and other mammals)
  • Deodorizers
  • Diatomaceous earth
  • Ferric phosphate (for slug and snail control)
  • Injected tree treatments
  • Insecticidal soaps
  • Mineral oils used for insect or mite control
  • Nematodes used for insect control
  • Pesticides used in aerosol containers (e.g. wasp bombs)
  • Pheremones used in conjunction with insect traps
  • Pruning paint
  • Pyrethrum and phenothrin (naturally occurring product used for insect control)
  • Rodenticides (for rat, mouse and mole control)
  • Rotenone (insecticide and used in fish management)
  • Ferrous sulphate (moss control)

Controlling an infestation

Under the Pesticide Bylaw, you're permitted to apply pesticides on City lands and residential lots for controlling pests which have caused an infestation (as defined under the bylaw). But, the bylaw requires that the pesticides be applied by a provincially-certified pesticide applicator.

"Infestation” means the presence of a Pest in numbers or under conditions that involves an immediate risk of damage to property or significant financial loss in respect of the use of property. The determination of what is an infestation is left to a provincially certified pesticide applicator.

Pests are any unwanted organisms such as weeds, insects, fungus or rodents that may occur in your yard. A pesticide is a product used to control or destroy these “pests” and include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and rodenticides, as well as weed and feed type products.

Pesticide may be applied to Private Lands or Public Lands for:
(a) controlling or destroying a Pest which has caused an Infestation; or
(b) ensuring the safety of pedestrian surfaces or sport surfaces,
provided that the application of the Pesticide is carried out by a Certified Applicator and by no other person.

Pesticides may also be used for the following:
(a) Agriculture and any other form of crop production on Agricultural Land;
(b) controlling a Pest on the residential portion of Agricultural Land;
(c) forestry operations;
(d) controlling or destroying a Noxious Weed;
(e) controlling a Pest on buildings or structures, or inside buildings or structures;
(f) low environmental and human health impact Pest control treatment with a Permitted Pesticide;
(g) managing of outbreaks of an introduced invasive exotic or foreign Pest;
(h) managing of Pests that threaten Sensitive Ecosystems;
(i) preventing the deterioration of hard landscapes;
(j) purifying water used for human or animal consumption; and
(k) responding to human or animal health issues.

Under the bylaw, you must avoid pest control products that contain the active ingredients such as: (Note: this is only a partial list.)
• 2,4-D
• Mecoprop
• Dicamba
• Glyphosate
• Carbaryl
• Diazinon

Note that the Bylaw doesn't apply to any control measures and/ or remedies regarding West Nile Virus, for public health reasons and not for landscape maintenance. But, it does include all pesticides used to control pests on lawns or in gardens on single family lands or on city lands, unless they are on the list of permitted pesticides in Schedule 2 of the Ingested Pest Management Act.

Using fertilizers on your land

You're allowed to use fertilizers in Surrey, unless the fertilizer contains herbicides. Most weed and feed type products are not permitted - they contain pesticides not permitted under the bylaw. But, if your A-1 land has been classified as “farm” by the BC Assessment Authority, or you are farming your A-1 land (with “farming” as defined under BC’s Farm Practices Protection Act.) then you are exempt from the bylaw.

Disposing of pesticides

If you do have pesticides, and have leftovers, dispose of them properly. Do not dispose leftover pesticides down the drain, down stormsewers or in your garbage. Always read the label for information on disposal.

Locations for Pesticide Disposal

Scott Road Bottle Depot
12111 86th Ave., Surrey, V3W 3H8
604-543-0606
Open 7 days 9am - 6pm

Annacis Waste Disposal Corp.
446 - 7231 120th St., Delta, V4C 6P5
604-594-7848
Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm. Can schedule weekend service.

Walnut Grove Bottle and Return-It Depot
9640 201 St., Langley, V1M 3E8
604-513-0420
7 days 9am - 6pm

See Metro Vancouver Recycling for a complete list of recycling locations (Website. New window.) But, if you require more help, leave a message for us at 604-591-4508 or eMail us at pesticidebylaw@surrey.ca .