Pesticide Use Enforcement

The Pesticide Use Enforcement (PUE) division protects the public, industry, and environment by ensuring the legal and safe use of pesticides and addressing illegal or unsafe practices. The County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC) oversees all pesticide applications, including home, agricultural, industrial, and structural uses, with a primary focus on agriculture and restricted materials.

The Pesticide Use Enforcement program regulates pesticide use to protect human health and the environment. The program is built around three core functions: Compliance Monitoring, Restricted Materials Permitting, and Enforcement Response. Additionally, the program facilitates pesticide use reporting, registers pest control businesses and licensees, and maintains an Air Monitoring Station as part of the Air Monitoring Network, a statewide system operated by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR).

Air Monitoring

Ventura county services a volatile pesticide air monitoring station in El Rio as part of California’s Air Monitoring Network. The network consists of our station plus three others: one each in Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Kern Counties. Weekly samples are taken to measure levels of forty volatile pesticides and their breakdown products.

Compliance Monitoring

Compliance Monitoring involves routine inspections of pesticide use to ensure compliance with regulations. Department staff conduct unannounced inspections of agricultural pesticide applications, as well as pesticide use in residential, industrial, and institutional settings. Inspections focusing on fieldworker safety are prioritized in situations where work crews are employed in fields recently treated with pesticides.

Enforcement Response

Enforcement Response encompasses the department’s actions in addressing incidents of pesticide misuse. This includes investigating complaints related to pesticide-related illnesses or injuries, environmental damage, and other hazardous pesticide use. Any violations of laws or regulations identified during inspections or investigations prompt action by the department. Compliance actions are advisory and focus on education and corrective measures, while enforcement actions impose penalties such as fines or permit revocations.

Pest Control Business Registrations

Pest Control Business Registration is an annual requirement for all businesses that perform pest control services for hire. Our department manages and maintains a comprehensive record of these registrations.

Pesticide Use Reporting

Pesticide Use Reports are mandatory for many agricultural and commercial pesticide users. Our office issues Operator Identification Numbers to agricultural operations and reviews incoming Pesticide Use Reports for accuracy before submitting them to the state.

Restricted Materials Permitting

Restricted Materials Permitting ensures a tighter level of regulation of pesticides classified by California as posing significant environmental hazards. These “California Restricted Materials” require a specialized permit for possession and use. Permittees must submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) to our office before applying any pesticide that requires a permit. This process enables our staff to evaluate the proposed use and monitor applications as necessary.

Deputy Agricultural Commissioner