Pesticide storage

Proper pesticide storage reduces risk to human health and the environment and avoids contaminating water, soil and air. This also reduces adverse effects on biodiversity and protects children, who are at greater risk due to their physiology and behaviour. Proper storage practices also means that these dangerous chemicals are held in appropriate ways that avoid potential product and/or label alteration.

Do not keep expired pesticides or those you no longer intend to use. Find out how to dispose of them safely. Use the CleanFarms collection program for commercial, agricultural and industrial-use pesticides.

Class 4 and 5 domestic pesticides are mostly sold in hardware stores and garden centres and are intended for individual use. The word “DOMESTIC” appears on the label or container.  

When storing domestic pesticides, please ensure the following: 

• They remain in their original containers;
• They are not transferred to food containers, thus avoiding accidental consumption;
• They are stored in a locked location. 

These are classes 1 to 3 pesticides and are generally not mixed or diluted.  

When storing these types of pesticides, please ensure the following: 

• Choose a location where ambient conditions will not alter the product or impair its packaging or label;
• Store products so as to avoid spillage into the environment;
• Have fast action clean-up equipment and absorbent material available in case of pesticide leakage or spillage. Read the Pesticide Waste webpage for more information;
• Post a list of resources (PDF 166 Kb) (in French only) such as the Poison Control Centre in an easy to see location near the entrance, along with contact information. In addition, the "Danger" sign (PDF 69 Kb) (in French only) can be posted close to this regulatory sign;
• Immediately notify Urgence-Environnement if a fire breaks out at the storage site at a location where at least 1,000 litres or 1,000 kilograms of unmixed or undiluted pesticides are stored.  

Best practices: 

• Post a current list of products stored in the warehouse and keep a copy on file.
• Post the safety data sheets of stored pesticides outside the warehouse. 

Specific rules for Classes 1, 2 and 3 pesticides

These pesticides must not be stored: 

• within 30 metres from a lake, watercourse or wetland;
• within 100 metres from a Category 1 or 2 water withdrawal site or a water withdrawal site used for the production or spring water or mineral water;
• within 30 metres from a Category 3 water withdrawal site or any other groundwater withdrawal site;
• a high-velocity flood zone (0-20 years), a very high or high flood hazard zone, or a short-term channel migration zone;
• a low-velocity flood zone (20-100 years) or a moderate flood hazard zone (some exceptions apply).

The storage of Class 1, 2 or 3 pesticides may be maintained within a very high, high or moderate flood hazard zone or a short-term channel migration zone if pesticides of one of those classes were already stored there on March 1, 2026. As of that date, however, the capacity of an existing storage site may not be increased.

See the maps of floodplains or check land development plans or municipal town planning by-laws for distancing compliance. 

Classes 1, 2 and 3 unmixed and undiluted pesticides must be stored at a location that has retention equipment : 

• If you hold a permit for sales (Class A or subclass B1), green space maintenance (C4 or D4), pest management (C5 or D5) or golf course maintenance (C11 or D11);
• If you store more than 100 litres or 100 kilograms of pesticides for over 15 consecutive days. 

Retention equipment may include a leak-proof floor, platform or basin designed to confine pesticide leaks and spills and fully recover them. 

Civil liability insurance is required when storing unmixed and undiluted pesticides intended for sale or work for others and you must attach the insurance attestation (in French only) to the permit application or to your permit renewal application.

When storing pesticides in a reservoir or mobile tank, ensure compliance with applicable requirements.  

When storing pesticide-coated seeds (Classes 3A and 3B), please ensure the following: 

• Choose a location where ambient conditions will not alter the product or impair its packaging or label;
• Store products so as to avoid spillage into the environment.

Pesticides Management Code – Reference Manual (PDF 7.44 Mb) (in French only)

Pesticide Information Kit: Protecting the Environment and Human Health (in French only)

Water Withdrawal and Protection Regulation