The Pesticide Sunset Law: Phasing Out Pesticides In Your Community

Under state law, local governments are not allowed to regulate pesticide use by private individuals and businesses. However, local governments that want to reduce pesticide use in their communities can lead by example by adopting policies to phase out their own pesticide use on municipal property, such as in public parks and buildings.

NYPIRG has helped communities across the state adopt pesticide "sunset" laws. Using San Francisco's law as a template, NYPIRG and Environmental Advocates developed a model law for municipalities in New York that phases out municipal pesticide use over three years, starting with those chemicals that are most acutely toxic or are known or probable carcinogens. Certain pesticides used for public health purposes and extremely low toxicity pesticides are exempt.

To date, phase-out policies based on this model have been enacted in eight municipalities across New York State: Albany, Suffolk and Westchester counties; the cities of Albany and Buffalo; and the towns of Bethlehem (Albany County), Greenburgh (Westchester County), and West Seneca (Erie County). Each community has tailored the model sunset policy to meet its own unique needs. Numerous other communities and school districts in New York have also reduced or eliminated their pesticide use, using different approaches.

In addition to reducing their pesticide use, local governments can use the sunset law as a way of educating residents about pesticide health and environmental concerns and demonstrating the effectiveness of alternative landscaping and pest control techniques.