Petition to Ban the Use of Glyphosate in Our Community

Dear Neighbors and Members of the HOA,

Our community has been exposed to the use of glyphosate-based herbicides in areas directly behind our homes, in our parks, and throughout common spaces where our children and pets regularly live and play.

Glyphosate is a synthetic herbicide that has raised significant health and environmental concerns worldwide. The World Health Organization has classified glyphosate as a Group 2A substance (“probably carcinogenic to humans”). Due to these concerns, a number of municipalities—including the California cities of Encinitas and Carlsbad—have already taken steps to ban or restrict the use of glyphosate in public parks and recreational areas.

In March 2020, I became aware of the extent of this issue when an individual was spraying herbicide directly behind my backyard fence at approximately 1:00 PM while my children were actively playing outside. No notice was provided prior to this application, nor were any precautions taken to ensure the safety of nearby residents.

This raises serious concerns regarding both safety and compliance with California law.

California Civil Code §4777(b) mandates strict notification requirements prior to the application of pesticides or herbicides in common areas. To date, no notification or application schedule has been provided to homeowners regarding these treatments.

Additionally:

Herbicides have been applied along property lines immediately adjacent to family residences.
Applications have occurred in areas without active turf or landscaping that would reasonably require treatment. Residents have received no advance warning to avoid exposure or take protective measures.

The routine application of glyphosate in close proximity to homes—without prior notice—places residents, children, pets, and maintenance workers at unnecessary risk.

We therefore urge our city and HOA to:

Immediately ban the use of glyphosate-based herbicides in all residential and common areas within our community. Adopt safer, non-toxic landscaping alternatives that protect both public health and the environment.
Ensure that all future landscaping and weed management practices prioritize resident safety and environmental responsibility.

Our goal is to maintain our shared spaces in a manner that reflects both community values and a commitment to health, safety, and environmental stewardship.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all. Thank you for your understanding regarding glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicide formulations and their potential impact on human health and the environment.

Sincerely,

Mariane

Glyphosate-free Encinitas Article​

Glyphosate-free Carlsbad Article