DPR Places Tractor Supply Company on Probation Following Repeated Violations
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Tractor Supply Store (TSC) sold restricted material pesticides without checking whether buyers were licensed to purchase them, among other pesticide dealer licensing and sales violations. Various violations of pesticide laws were found at two-thirds of TSC’s California stores. DPR is placing TSC on probation for five years, during which it cannot sell restricted material pesticides.
SACRAMENTO — The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is placing Tractor Supply Company (TSC) on probation after repeated pesticide dealer licensing and sales violations, including restricted materials violations, during a three-and-a-half-year period.
“California has strict pesticide regulations on the sale of restricted materials to protect human health and the environment,” said DPR Director Karen Morrison. “Tractor Supply Company has repeatedly disregarded these requirements and DPR is holding them accountable for their actions.”
County enforcement inspections have revealed a pattern of compliance issues at TSC locations across California. During enforcement inspections conducted by County Agricultural Commissioners (CACs) in 32 counties from January 1, 2023, through June 30, 2025, 65 of TSC’s 99 California locations were cited. Violations included the purchase, sale, and delivery of California restricted material pesticide products without requesting permit information or license or certification information. Several TSC locations were also selling pesticide products without a dealer license. A coalition of district attorneys from several counties brought a separate action to resolve most of the violations identified by the CACs.
The licensing discipline action announced today by DPR stems from multiple violations, including selling a California restricted material pesticide product without requesting a permit, license, or certification information in Placer County and through TSC’s online retail store.
Additionally, a DPR review of TSC’s sales records from April 2022 to April 2026 found 123 sales of unregistered products in California, including 75 sales of restricted materials. In those cases, TSC did not request a copy of the purchaser’s permit, as required by law.
“Californians deserve a marketplace where every seller plays by the rules,” said Director Morrison. “When companies cut corners, it puts our communities at risk and undermines businesses that follow the law.”
DPR is placing TSC on probation for five years, during which time TSC must refrain from selling restricted materials, must obey all laws, and must submit quarterly sales reports to DPR. If TSC violates the probation agreement, DPR may take action to suspend TSC’s California Pesticide Dealer licenses.
The terms of the probation agreement take effect on December 7, 2026.