Pesticide Use Enforcement Program

The goal of the Pesticide Use Enforcement Program is to ensure the proper and safe application of pesticides by homeowners and industry in the City and County of San Francisco.

 

Principal Activities and Services

• Issue restricted pesticide material permits.
• Monitor pesticide applications for safety and environmental compliance.
• Investigate pesticide related illnesses and complaints.
• Enforces State and Federal laws and regulations governing pesticide use by pest control companies, agricultural operations and other pesticide handlers.
• Inspect application equipment, pesticide storage sites, employee training documents and business use records.
• Provide information to homeowners and industry on the appropriate use of pesticides.
• Provide placement and servicing of insect traps to detect exotic pests such as Medfly, Gypsy Moth and Japanese Beetle.

 

Pest Control Operator (PCO) and Pest Control Advisor (PCA) Registrations

The San Francisco Pesticide Use Enforcement program processes several types of registrations and requirements of each are described below.

Home County Agricultural PCOs and PCAs based in San Francisco must register in person at our office at 1390 Market Street. Appointments may be made by calling 415-252-3862 or by emailing phil.calhoun@sfdph.org.

Some registrations may be accepted by mail, as noted below. Registrations that are mailed should include a check payable to San Francisco Department of Public Health and be addressed to:

San Francisco Department of Public Health, EHB

Pesticide Use Enforcement Office

1390 Market Street, Suite 210

San Francisco, CA 94102

Agricultural Pest Control Operator Registration -- Home Based

You must register in person. Make an appointment with PUE Officer for registration and bring:

1. current/valid PCO Business License
2. current/valid Qualified Applicator License (QAL)
3. equipment list
4. check for $50

Agricultural Pest Control Operator Registration -- Out of County

An appointment is NOT needed -- you may mail your registration along with:

1. current/valid PCO Business License
2. current/valid imprinted PCO registration for from home county
3. equipment list
4. most recent home county Headquarter Employee Safety Records Inspection
5. check for $50

Maintenance Gardner Registration -- Home Based

You must register in person. Make an appointment with PUE Officer for registration and bring:

1. current/valid PCO Maintenance Gardener Business License
2. current/valid Qualified Applicator Certificate (QAC) or QAL
3. equipment list
4. check for $25

Maintenance Gardener Registration -- Out of County

You may mail in your completed registration form, include copies of:

1. current/valid PCO Maintenance Gardner Business License
2. current/valid imprinted PCO MG registration form from home county
3. equipment list
4. most recent home county Headquarter Employee Safety Records Inspection
5. check for $25

Structural Branch 1 Pest Control Operator Registration -- Home Based & Out of County

The branch supervisor or qualifying manager must register in person. The person registering should be someone designated by the business to supervise the daily business of the company and who supervises and assists the company's employees.

1. Structural Branch 1 Pest Control Operator Registration Form must be completely and accurately filled out
2. $25 Check
3. $10 fee is required for each amendment during the calendar year to add new operators, feild representatives, and qualifying managers to county registration. Amendments may be mailed - in person is not required.

Structural Branch 2/3 Pest Control Operator Registration -- Home Based & Out of County

You may mail in the registration unless your business is also a home based Agricultural PCO, in which cause you must register in person.

1. Structural Branch 2/3 Pest Control Operator Registration Form must be completely and accurately filled out;
2. $10 Check;
3. $10 fee for each amendment during the calendar year to add new operators, field representatives, and qualifying managers to county registration. Mail in of amendment is OK- in person not required.

Pest Control Advisor Registration -- Home Based

Note that you must register in City and County of San Francisco before registering in any other counties.
You must register in person. Make an appointment with PUE Officer for registration and bring:

1. current/valid PCA License
2. check for $10

The PUE Officer will most likely conduct a PCA audit as well as registration. This requires the registrant to bring in all recommendations made during the last calendar year.

 

Pest Control Advisor Registration -- Out of County

Note that you must register in your Home County before registering in any other counties.
You may mail in your completed registration form, include copies of:

1. current/valid imprinted PCA registration form from home county
2. check for $5

Pilots

• There are no City and County of San Francisco based pilots
• Mail current/valid imprinted Pilot Registration form issued by your Home County
• Free registration

Operator Identification Numbers and Restricted Materials Permits

You may obtain an Operator Identification Number and/or Restricted Materials Permit by submitting a copy of pesticide specimen label(s) and a copy of your QAC or QAL certification cards to phil.calhoun@sfdph.org

 

 

 

 

Making a Complaint

If you would like to make a complaint regarding pesticide use, please call 311.