Pesticide Enforcement

The Marin County Department of Agriculture/Weights and Measures oversees the use of pesticides in Marin County. We are committed to protecting our community and beautiful environment by ensuring pesticides are handled and stored properly, and commercial applicators are trained and licensed.

• Whenever pesticides are being used (or stored) at our homes, along our roads, or on our farms, we have the authority to go there and conduct inspections. These inspections help ensure that California-approved pesticides are being used safely and stored properly.
• We make sure that commercial pesticide users are trained and licensed to conduct their work safely.
• We immediately investigate pesticide related complaints and potential illnesses to determine what happened so that we can help prevent it from happening again.
• “Pesticide” is a general term that includes “Herbicides” (weed control), “Insecticides” (insect control), “Fungicides” (for fungus control), “Rodenticides” (rodent control), etc.

Structural Pest Control Information

For Structural Pest Control Businesses looking to submit Notice of Intent (NOI) please fax your notice to the following number: (415) 473-7543

For businesses seeking to register their Structural Pest Control Business please read the following: If you offer to perform, advertise for, solicit, or perform structural pest control or pest control within the County of Marin you must register your business annually with our department. In order to register for Structural Branch I, II, or III please complete and submit the following:

• FOR BRANCH I: Branch I Registration Form to Perform Pest Control Work

OR

• FOR BRANCH II and III: Branch II/III Registration Form to Perform Pest Control Work

AND

• Submit a list of operators, field representatives , or applicators conducting or associated with work being conducted in the County. All listed names shall have appropriate and valid licenses. 
• REGISTRATION FEE: $25 (Branch 1) and $10 (Branch 2 or 3). Accepted payments include checks made payable to: "Marin County Dept. of Agriculture" mailed or brought in person. Cash payments are also accepted at our department office. 

For information regarding announcement(s) and related information from our department please read the following current and past letters to industry:

• 2022 Marin Registration Information - Letter to Industry
• 2020 Marin Registration Information - Letter to Industry
• 2019 Marin Registration Information - Letter to Industry
• 2018 Marin Registration Information - Letter to Industry
• Structural Pest Control Board
• Branch I Registration Form to Perform Pest Control Work
• Branch II and III Registration Form to Perform Pest Control Work

Pest Control Business / Operators Registration

For businesses seeking to register their Pest Control Business please read the following: If you offer to perform, advertise for, solicit, or perform pest control or pest control within the County of Marin you must register your business annually with our department. In order to register please complete and submit the list of listed documents below. Documentation and payment(s) may be submitted by mail or brought to the department office.

• Pest Control Operator / Business Registration Form
• Copy of current/valid CA Dept. of Pesticide Pest Control Business License.
• Completed Equipment list used in the application, storage and or transportation of pesticides.
• Copies of current/valid Qualified Applicator's License / Certificate(s) (QAL/QAC) licensed in the proper categories. 
• REGISTRATION FEE: $96 (Effective January 1, 2024) Accepted payments include checks made payable to: "Marin County Dept. of Agriculture" mailed or brought in person. Cash payments are also accepted at our department office.

AND OR

• For businesses located outside of Marin County a copy of registration from the home county is also requested. 

Maintenance Gardener Pest Control Business (MGB)

Registration is required for pest control businesses and maintenance gardener pest control businesses prior to operating in a county (Food & Ag Code 11732). If you own / operate a maintenance gardening business that occasionally or incidentally applies pesticides then that business must complete state licensing and county registration requirements. More information regarding state licensing and registration requirements please visit the CA Department of Pesticide Regulation website:

CA DPR Website for Maintenance Gardeners 

For MG Businesses seeking to register with the County of Marin please read the following: A person who is regularly engaged in the business of maintenance gardening and who engages in pest control for hire within the County must register annually. To complete registration please complete and submit the below list of documents. Documentation and payment(s) may be submitted by mail or brought to the department office.

• Maintenance Gardener Registration Form
• Equipment list used in the application, storage and or transportation of pesticides.
• Copy of current/valid CA DPR MGB Business License
• Copy of current/valid CA DPR Qualified Applicators License or Certificate(s) (QAL & QAC).
• REGISTRATION FEE: $25. Accepted payments include checks made payable to: "Marin County Dept. of Agriculture" mailed or brought in person. Cash payments are also accepted at our department office.

Employee Safety and Training

Handler and Fieldworker training

• Pesticide Handler Training Form - English
• Pesticide Handler Training Form - Spanish
• Employer’s Written Handler Training Program - English
• Employer’s Written Handler Training Program - Spanish
• Fieldworker Training Form - English
• Fieldworker Training Form - Spanish
• Pesticide Safety Information Series - English
• Pesticide Safety Information Series - Spanish
• University Of California Integrated Pest Management Pesticide Safety Training and Use
• Farm Labor Contractor Compliance Requirements - English
• Farm Labor Contractor Compliance Requirements - Spanish
• Farm Labor Contractor License Database

Compliance Resources

• Forms and Resources for Your Written Respiratory Protection Program
• Compliance Assistance Booklets for Employers
• Wellhead Protection Requirements
• Stipulated Injunction and Order for the Protection of the California Red-Legged Frog (CRLF) In Sonoma County. CRLF habitat occurs in specifically designated locations. Go to "Map Showing Specific Areas in Sonoma County Covered by This Injunction Order. " CRLF areas are generally only in the southern half of the county and the habitat covers small portions of areas within the following locations: Sears Point, Stage Gulch Road, Western Petaluma, Stony Point/Mecham Rd. area, Bloomfield, Valley Ford, Estero de Americano, Coleman Valley at Hwy 1, and Hwy 1 at the Russian River.
• Court Ordered Pesticide Use Buffers Around Pacific Salmon-Supporting Waters
• Pesticide Laws and Regulations
• Additional Laws and Regulations for Structural Pest Control Operators

Related Links

• Fish Friendly Farming
• California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR)
• Structural Pest Control Board
• Pesticide Information - Consumer Fact Sheets