Pesticide Applications Near Schools and Child Care Facilities
California adopted regulations concerning the application of agricultural pesticides near public K-12 schools and licensed child day care centers, collectively referred to as “schoolsites.” These regulations establish minimum distance requirements for certain pesticide applications near these sites and mandate annual notifications to schoolsites within ¼ mile of agricultural fields. The goal is to minimize the risk of unintentional pesticide exposure to children and to facilitate communication among growers, County Agricultural Commissioners, and schoolsite administrators.
Additionally, DPR offers separate Healthy Schools Act and Training resources to address when pesticides are used at schoolsites.
Information for Growers and Applicators
Notification Templates
Growers may use the following templates, CalAgPermits, or their own form to prepare the required notifications.
Information for School Principals and Child Day Care Administrators
The CalSchoolNotify.org website is only accessible by authorized schoolsite administrators.
Sources of general and specific information about pesticides:
- The National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) provides science-based information about pesticides and related topics to assist the public when making decisions about pesticide use. NPIC is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in collaboration with Oregon State University, and maintains a detailed website that includes among other things human health information, safe use practices, a pesticide product search, fact sheets, and guidance on what to do in the case of an emergency; operates a toll-free call center from Monday through Friday; collects pesticide incident data; and provides links to additional sources of information about pesticides.
- DPR’s Pesticide Information for Farmworkers and Agricultural Communities (Pesticide Information available in Spanish) makes it easier for people to get help in a pesticide emergency and resolve pesticide use complaints and concerns. This 36-page booklet provides information on how DPR and county agricultural commissioners manage the safe use of pesticides in California. It also explains how to find pesticide use information specific to your area.
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Still have a Question or Need More Information?
Please contact us with questions or visit the Contact Us page on our website to connect with other programs at DPR.
Email: ENF.HQ@cdpr.ca.gov
Phone: (916) 324-4100