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Frequently Asked Questions
City of Kelowna’s Pesticide Bylaw and Natural Lawn Care
Don’t get caught on the wrong side of the law just because you have a few weeds!
The City of Kelowna’s Pesticide Regulation Bylaw No. 9920 came into effect in 2009. The bylaw restricts the use of pesticides for non-essential, 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?
How will this bylaw be enforced?
How much are the fines?
How can I dispose of my old pesticides properly?
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. back to top
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. This will increase the health of your soil and healthier lawn will be more likely to choke out weeds. back to top
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. back to top
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  to view the list of excluded pesticides. To understand this list, you must be able to read the label on the pesticide container. Click here to learn what to look for when reading your label.
Choose pest control products only if they contain one of the following active ingredients listed under the Guarantee:
o A soap;
o A mineral oil, also called dormant or horticultural oil;
o Silicon dioxide, also called diatomaceous earth;
o Biological pesticides including Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) and nematodes;
o Borax, also called boric acid or boracic acid;
o Ferric phosphate;
o Acetic acid;
o Pyrethrum or pyrethrins;
o Fatty acids;
o Sulphur; and
o 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.)
o 2,4-D;
o mecoprop;
o dicamba;
o glyphosate;
o carbaryl; and
o diazinon.
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; and
• use environmentally friendly means of controlling pests.
Click here to learn more about natural lawn and garden care. back to top
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 disc
- excluded Pesticides
To apply for an additional exemption, please contact ask@kelowna.ca or phone 250 469-8982.
back to top 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. back to top
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. back to top
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 you can take some of your pesticides to the Battery Doctors located at 1972 Windsor Road, Kelowna. Call 250-860-2866. Battery Doctors accept pesticides that have a poison symbol as well as a PCP number.
For other pesticide products that are not accepted, take them to the annual Hazardous Waste Round Up which will take all hazardous waste. You can hang onto your old containers and take them to the Hazardous Waste Round Up in October of each year. back to top
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