Do landscapers need a licence in Ontario?
It depends on the work. Unless exempt, anyone who applies pesticides commercially on property they or their employer do not own needs a pesticide exterminator licence, and the business needs a pesticide operator licence that expires each December 31. Lawns and gardens may only be treated with products on the province's Allowable List. Ontario law requires a locate request before digging, and it cannot be charged for; Ontario Dig Authority asks for the request at least 5 business days ahead.[1],[2],[3],[4],[5]
How to check
If the job includes weed or insect control, search Ontario's Access Environment for the company's pesticide operator licence; operator licences issued since September 2018 are listed there. If it includes digging, the locate request goes to Ontario Dig Authority, which asks for it at least 5 business days before work starts.[2],[5]
What Ontario's rules say
- In Ontario, unless exempt, anyone who applies pesticides commercially on property they or their employer do not own needs a pesticide exterminator licence, valid for 5 years. Government of Ontario[1]
- The business itself needs a pesticide operator licence, which requires licensed exterminators and insurance and expires each December 31; operator licences issued since September 2018 can be searched on Ontario's Access Environment. Government of Ontario[2]
- Ontario's cosmetic pesticide ban covers lawns, gardens, patios and driveways: only pesticides on the province's Allowable List may be used there, and products containing 2,4-D, diazinon or glyphosate may not. Government of Ontario[3]
- Ontario law requires anyone who digs to submit a locate request before starting, and neither the request nor the utilities' marking of their lines may be charged for. Government of Ontario[4]
- Submit the locate request at least 5 business days before digging, through Ontario Dig Authority (formerly Ontario One Call). Ontario Dig Authority[5]
- In Toronto, a retaining wall more than one metre high needs a building permit when it is on or next to public property, at a building entrance, or on private property the public can access. City of Toronto[6]
Frequently asked questions
Does a landscaper need a licence to treat my lawn?
If they apply pesticides commercially, yes, unless exempt: they need a pesticide exterminator licence, valid for 5 years, and their business needs a pesticide operator licence.[1],[2]
Which weed killers can be used on a lawn in Ontario?
Only pesticides on the province's Allowable List may be used on lawns, gardens, patios and driveways. Products containing 2,4-D, diazinon or glyphosate may not.[3]
Who has to request utility locates, and does it cost anything?
Ontario law requires a locate request before digging. Ontario Dig Authority, which takes the requests, asks for them at least 5 business days ahead. Neither the request nor the utilities' marking of their lines may be charged for.[4],[5]
Does a retaining wall need a permit in Toronto?
A retaining wall more than one metre high needs a building permit when it is on or next to public property, at a building entrance, or on private property the public can access.[6]
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Sources
- Government of Ontario, Pesticide licences and permits (Updated June 2, 2026). Accessed October 19, 2026.
- Government of Ontario, Pesticide licences and permits (Updated June 2, 2026). Accessed October 19, 2026.
- Government of Ontario, Pesticides: home lawns and gardens. Accessed October 19, 2026.
- Government of Ontario, Ontario Underground Infrastructure Notification System Act, 2012. Accessed October 19, 2026.
- Ontario Dig Authority, Ontario Dig Authority. Accessed October 19, 2026.
- City of Toronto, When do I need a building permit?. Accessed October 19, 2026.
This guide restates what each source says; it is not legal advice. Rules change — the linked source is the authority.
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