The Deep River, Ontario, council made the town's pesticide bylaw a little more user-friendly.
Council passed changes to the bylaw last week that will allow a homeowner's "agent" - presumably a representative of a lawn care company - to get a pesticide permit on their behalf.
And, although they didn't have to change the bylaw to do it, council also agreed that homeowners would only have to get one pesticide permit to last the entire season.
Residents will still be required to post notices for 24 hours before pesticides are used, and for 72 hours afterwards.
The changes will only be in effect for this year.
The province has announced it will have province-wide pesticide legislation in effect for 2009.
Mayor Ann Aikens said it will be "very interesting" to see how the province thinks it will enforce its pesticide ban.
"If it's downloaded on municipalities, we're going to be in the same position, because we don't have the resources to do that," she said.
The town's pesticide bylaw took effect last year, and states that the "cosmetic use" of pesticides, defined as any use that is "only for an aesthetic pursuit," is "prohibited" within town boundaries.
The bylaw goes on to include a "notwithstanding" clause, however, that allows residents to use pesticides on their lawns as long as they get a "no-fee" permit from the town, post notices as required, and make sure the pesticides are used according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Council had previously discussed allowing lawn care applicators to get the permit on a homeowner's behalf and changing the bylaw to allow residents to get one permit for the season.
But town CAO Gene Kiviaho noted that the pesticide bylaw is "silent" as far as the length of the permit, so changing the permit from once per use to one permit per season was just a matter of administration.