Resources on this page for pest management at San Francisco city departments:

IPM Compliance Checklist

San Francisco city staff have been national leaders in integrated pest management (IPM) since the City passed its Integrated Pest Management Ordinance in 1996.  The Ordinance governs the way pests are managed on all City properties, but does not apply to private property. Specifically, the law applies to any City staff or contractors managing unwanted insects, rodents, birds, weeds, or other organisms for buildings & landscapes that are:

  • Owned by the City, even if in other counties, or
  • Leased from the City (with leases signed after 1996), such as golf courses or vendors at SF Airport.

The IPM ordinance contains requirements for:

  • How integrated pest management (IPM) is implemented
  • Limitations on pesticide products - San Francisco Reduced Risk Pesticide List
  • Exemptions to the Reduced Risk Pesticide List
  • Posting and notification for pesticide treatments
  • Recordkeeping and data requirements
  • Accountability

For simplicity's sake, we have assembled a printable Compliance Checklist. Some key resources for City operations are:

IPM technical resources: Information on specific pests and management techniques

List of departmental IPM coordinators for the City & County of San Francisco

Signs for posting: Posting is required 3 days before to 4 days after pesticide spraying

Reporting pesticide use data (password required)

Request exemptions for pesticides not listed on the Reduced Risk Pesticide List (City IPM staff only)

Sign up for emails to be notified of upcoming IPM TAC meetings or other events

Reduced Risk Pesticide List

The Reduced Risk Pesticide List is maintained and updated annually by San Francisco's IPM Program, which includes the Department of the Environment and other City department stakeholders. These pesticide products may only be used as a last resort after other, non-chemical management options have been exhausted, and in keeping with limitations listed.  The List is only appropriate for City staff or contractors managing pests on City property. It is not relevant to US Green Building Council LEED requirements, which are described elsewhere.

Each product on the list has been::

1.  Screened using the SF Pesticide Hazard Screening Protocol

2.  Reviewed by the SF IPM Technical Advisory Committee (IPM TAC).  The IPM TAC is convened by the Department of the Environment and is composed of City IPM Coordinators, contractors, IPM specialists from non-City agencies, and other interested parties.  Each year, the TAC considers product hazards, potential for exposure, data gaps, and existence of safer alternatives before placing products on the List

3.  Presented at a public hearing

4.  Approved by the Commission on the Environment

The SF Reduced-Risk Pesticide List is not appropriate for non-City-owned properties or other agencies because it:

  • Includes products available only to professionals
  • Includes products that are more hazardous than required for household use
  • Is tailored to the special needs of San Francisco facilities and local microclimates

Lease and contract language

Leases: Because all properties leased from the City fall within the requirements of the IPM Ordinance, the ordinance must be referenced in any new lease agreements.  Properties leased by the City should also include such language when possible.  Here is some sample language:

Leasee, and any pest management contractors operating on the leased property, shall comply with all requirements of San Francisco's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Ordinance (Chapter 3, San Francisco Environment Code) These requirements include, but are not limited to: Using pesticides as a last resort,  using only pesticides on the current SF Reduced Risk Pesticide List, posting notifications of all pesticide applications three days before treatment, leaving these postings for at least four days after treatment, and reporting all pesticide use by staff or contractors. Details can be found at the San Francisco Department of the Environment website, /node/3898?repaired.

 Service contracts: City departments who contract for landscape rennovations or similar services should include the following language in the contracts to ensure that activities are conducted according to the law's requirements.

Vendor shall comply with all requirements of San Francisco's Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Ordinance (Chapter 3, San Francisco Environment Code). These requirements include, but are not limited to: Using pesticides as a last resort,  using only pesticides on the current SF Reduced Risk Pesticide List, posting notifications of all pesticide applications three days before treatment, leaving these postings for at least four days after treatment, and reporting all pesticide use in a format acceptable to the San Francisco Department of the Environment. Pesticide use on green roofs, or for any other purpose not permitted under the current SF Reduced Risk Pesticide List, is prohibited without an exemption from the San Francisco Department of the Environment. Details can be found at the San Francisco Department of the Environment website, /node/3898?repaired.

Safe disposal of pesticides

City departments who need to safely dispose of pesticide products - or other hazardous waste - can schedule pickups by the Department of Public Health. 

 Pesticide use trends (on City properties)

View the latest data here; including interactive graphs.

Other accomplishments:

  • Decreased pesticide use by about 70-80% since the start of the program.
  • Decreased the in-City use of glyphosate - the active ingredient in Roundup - by 96% since 2010.
  • Prohibited pre-emergent herbicides (with the exception of airport runways, which are subject to FAA regulations).
  • One of the first cities to ban the use of single-feed rodenticides (2006), due to data on adverse impacts to predatory birds.  This ban followed a community process incorporating nonprofits and the SF Department of Public Health.
  • Banned the use of gopher baits as a precautionary measure (2009), due to the potential for adverse impacts on other wildlife.
  • Removed the last neonicitinoid insecticide from City properties (2014).  "Neonics" have been implicated as contributing to declines in worldwide bee populations, in combination with other factors.

 Resources

IPM Plans - Model IPM plans created by San Francisco departments or other agencies

IPM Plan for the California Academy of Sciences

Guidelines - 

Pest Prevention By Design Guidelines  - Compendiums of design elements for preventing or reducing pest infestations. Available for both structures and landscapes. 

Research - 

Compost Tea: Literature review on production, application and plant disease management

Meetings, exemptions, and other public information

Annual public hearing - Every year, the Integrated Pest Management Program holds a public hearing regarding pest management activities on City properties.  This year's hearing will be held on Wednesday, July 10, 5pm-7pm, in City Hall Room 416. The supporting materials are posted here.

Exemptions granted - City departments must request special exemptions to use pesticides that are not on the current Reduced Risk Pesticide List.  In a few cases, exemptions may also be granted to posting requirements. All exemptions that are approved are automatically posted on this page.

Reports of any federal or state pesticide violations - including unsafe application or use in violation of the pesticide label - should be directed to the SF Agricultural Commissioners Office, housed at the Department of Public Health's Pesticide Use Enforcement Program at (415)252-3862.  

Complaints, comments, or concerns about pesticide use or pest problems on City properties can be registered directly with the relevant City department by calling "311," or can be entered in our list.  We will direct the issue to the appropriate City agency.

Integrated Pest Management Technical Advisory Committee Meetings (IPM TAC) 

Newest presentations (Sept, 2020 - Present): See the SF IPM YouTube Channel

 

Older Presentations: Videos courtesy of Pestec

  • August 7, 2014. "Bed bug management in multiunitresidential housing." Presentation by Dr. Andrew Sutherland, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.  Assessing California’s current practices and future needs
  • July 2, 2015: "Roundup as a probable carcinogen: What does it all mean?" Presentation by Dr. Susan Kegley, Pesticide Research Institute.
  • January 7, 2016. "Landscaping implications from the science of the Marin Carbon Project." Presentation [video] by Calla Rose Ostrander, Jena & Michael King Foundation.
  • October 13, 2016: "New bait station systems for use within IPM programs for subterranean termites in California."  Presentation by  Dr. Andrew Sutherland, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. 
  • October 5, 2017. "Least toxic weed management alternatives: Bob's favorite's Part II." Presentation [video] by Bob Fiorello, Chief Horticulturalist, San Francisco Botanical Garden. 
  • May 3, 2018: "The right tree in the right place." Presentation  [video] by Chris Buck, San Francisco Public Works Urban Forester.  Also includes a case study presentation by Public Works gardener Brian Lease.
  • August 2, 2018. "Fighting the bit with multiagency mosquito IPM efforts in San Francisco." Presentation [video] by Luis Agurto, Jr., President, Pestec Inc.
  • October 4, 2018. "Planting the right palm." Presentation [video] by Jason DeWeese, Flora Grubb Nurseries. 
  • December 6, 2018. "Initial results using saturated steam equipment for weed management." Presentation [video] by Dr. Cheryl Wilen, UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. 
  • March 7, 2019. "Weed management using rechargeable electric equipment." Presentation [video] by Dr. Dorothy Fibiger, Calfornia Air Resources Board. 
  • April 4, 2019. "Best bets for burrows: Gophers and ground squirrel update." Presentation [video] by Dr. Roger Baldwin, UC Cooperative Extension.
  • May 8, 2019. "Managing fleas and reducing disease in a changing urban environment." Presentation [video] by Dr. Adena Why, Alameda County Vector Control District.
  • June 6, 2019. "Management alternatives for outdoor nuisance cockroaches in California." Presentation [video] by Dr. Andrew Sutherland, Urban IPM Advisor, UCIPM. 

Related Content

Highlights of San Francisco's IPM Program
Pest Management for Residents
Pest Management for Policymakers
Pest Management for Businesses

Pest Management for Residents
Pest Management for City Departments
Pest Management for Policymakers