Requirements for Pesticide Storage

This information is provided to help pesticide users such as farmers, golf course managers, pest control companies and others comply with requirements for pesticide storage.

For pesticides in small portable containers, such as 55-gallon drums or smaller containers, EPA regulates pesticide storage through specific storage instructions on pesticide labels.

Some states regulate the storage of pesticides in small portable containers. 

The following links exit the site

• Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Resources, Board of Pesticides Control (BPC) Regulations, found in the list of BPC Regulations: Ch. 24 Pesticide Storage Facility Standards / Pesticide Distributors 
• New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food Regulations: Chapter Pes 800 Disposal and Storage of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers, including:
  • Part 801 Disposal of Pesticides and Pesticide Containers
  • Part 802 Pesticide and Pesticide Container Storage by Private and Commercial Applicators
  • Part 803 Dealer Storage of Pesticides and Containers
• North Carolina Administrative Code - Pesticide Storage: Click on the link for "Subchapter 9L Pesticide Section".  The relevant section in Subchapter 9L is Section .1900 Pesticide Storage.
• Washington State Regulations, Title 16-WAC, Chapter 16-228, Section 1200 - Restrictions on pesticide distribution, transportation, application, storage and disposal and Section 1220 - Restrictions applying to any person holding, handling, using or disposing of pesticides and their containers Washington state employees note that these regulations represent minimum requirements. They refer people to local fire departments for actual requirements at their specific location. Fire, building and zoning codes are usually more restrictive than these basic regulations. See State Building Code.

EPA’s pesticide containment regulations establish requirements for the storage of agricultural pesticides in stationary containers that are 500 gallons or larger.  Read more about pesticide containment requirements. 

Local ordinances may adopt fire, building and zoning codes that include requirements and restrictions on pesticide storage.

Additional Information

• Chapter 13 of the Label Review Manual provides guidance on developing pesticide storage instructions on pesticide labels in Section IV. 
• Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Guidance on Pesticide Storage 
• Pesticide Disposal