Cape Elizabeth has taken important steps to safeguard residents' health, safety, and welfare and protect the Town's waterways and natural resources with Chapter 28, Residential Pesticide Use Ordinance Amendments, which went into effect on June 12, 2024.  That said, understanding which products are permitted and which are not can be confusing.   The Residential Pesticide Use Ordinance webpage provides residents with lists of pesticides approved under the ordinance.  

In particular, the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) Generic Materials list provides an alphabetical listing of products allowed and prohibited. OMRI is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides an independent review of products, such as fertilizers and pest controls, intended for use in certified organic production and processing. Many pesticide products that meet the OMRI standards display the OMRI logo,  making it easy for residents to  identify if a product is OMRI-certified. This logo acts as a reassurance of the product's safety and compliance with the ordinance.

If a product classification is not visible or easily determined, residents may contact Code Enforcement Officer Ben McDougal for guidance.