SPECIAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
STAFF REPORT
MEETING DATE August 20, 2026
PREPARED FOR Mayor and Town Council
PREPARED BY Kristin Arnold, Public Works Director
SUBJECT Adopt a Resolution Authorizing an Exception to the Town’s Pesticide Ordinance for Flea Treatments at the Temporary Fire Station
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a Resolution Authorizing an Exception to the Town’s Pesticide Ordinance for Flea Treatments at the Temporary Fire Station
Executive Summary
The Town and Ross Valley Fire Department (RVFD) have made every effort, but fleas have now entered the Temporary Fire Station living quarters and firefighters must now move out until the flea infestation is resolved. Town staff have used several non-pesticide methods to resolve a recent severe flea infestation at Peri Park (adjacent to the temporary station), in strict compliance with the Town’s Pesticide ordinance.
On August 5, 2026, a super-majority of Council approved limited use of pesticides under the temporary fire station, in order to keep the fire station operational and avoid delays in fire response to Fairfax.
Unfortunately, On August 19, 2026 staff received notice that firefighters reported multiple bites and the on-site treatment professional confirmed evidence that fleas have now entered the Temporary Fire Station.
Staff is seeking an exemption from the Council, as allowed by the ordinance, in order to administer pesticide treatments to the entire Temporary Fire Station. The public safety goal of this recommendation is to return the Fairfax fire station to operation as soon as possible and thus limit the number of days in which Fairfax will experience delayed emergency-response times.
BACKGROUND
On July 24, 2026, staff was notified of fleas in the playground. Staff inspected the area and found significant flea activity near the playground deck and beneath the Temporary Fire Station. An opening beside the deck appears to have allowed wildlife to enter the deck area and then access the crawl space beneath the building through a foundation vent. Staff worked with Marin County Department of Agriculture and licensed pest control companies to determine the best path forward for eliminating the fleas while not violating the Town’s Ordinance.
Actions taken thus far:
1) Excluded wildlife from infested area under decks and buildings
2) Applied boric acid beneath the Temporary Fire Station. Boric acid products are exempted under the ordinance and may help control flea larvae.
3) Steamed deck area and sand where infestation is highest. 4) Obtain approval from Council for limited pesticide application underneath the Temporary Fire Station
5) Completed two applications of approved pesticide underneath the Temporary Fire Station 6) Receive report of fleas inside the Temporary Fire Station 7) Confirm with licensed pest control operator that there is evidence of fleas inside the Temporary Fire Station
8) Confer with staff, labor, Chiefs, and pest control professionals on options to resolve the flea infestation inside the building safely and efficiently for all concerned 9) Arrange a Special Meeting to address the issue promptly August 5, 2026 Council Discussion
Insecticide Formulations
There are three common insecticide formulations: sprays, granules, and dusts or powders. These formulations may contain the same or similar active ingredients, but their permitted uses and application locations vary according to the product label. The Town’s ordinance provides exceptions for granular pesticides and boric acid products. It does not provide a general exception for other pesticides, including dusts or powders. This makes treating fleas in a building particularly challenging.
Treating inside buildings is different from treating outdoor areas. Additionally, federal law prohibits using a registered pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling.
DISCUSSION
The Town and Ross Valley Fire Department (RVFD) have made every effort, but fleas have now spread into the Temporary Fire Station living quarters and firefighters have now moved out, until the flea infestation is resolved. Having firefighters located outside of Fairfax will delay their response times to Fairfax.
Fleas are biting insects of public-health significance that can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions and may transmit flea-borne diseases. The infestation at an occupied public facility therefore presents a potential health hazard requiring prompt control.
The ordinance requires a super-majority of the Council to find that an emergency threatens the community’s health, safety, and welfare; no reasonable alternative is available; and continued prohibition of pesticide use could result in a significant adverse impact on the Town. Staff believes these findings can be made because the infestation has stopped operation of the Temporary Fire Station, ordinancecompliant measures may not adequately control fleas in the building, and relocating fire personnel has increased emergency-response times. Four out of five Council Members must vote to approve the exemption.
Recommended Solution:
Staff requests that the Council approve an exception to the Town’s pesticide ordinance, allowing EcoGaurd the licensed pest-control company which Fairfax is currently using to apply Californiaregistered flea-control products at the Temporary Fire Station. The selected insecticides are registered by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation for the proposed site and application method and applied by a licensed pest-control operator. The company will spray three insecticides in the building to treat fleas: Alpine WSG, Tekko Pro , and PT Alpine Flea & Bed Bug. These are all EPA regulated products and can be used in Marin County, and the Alpine products have been granted Reduced Risk Status for public health and food handling by the EPA.
Additionally, the Marin County Department of Agriculture has offered to inspect the application to verify compliance with applicable pesticide requirements.
Staff considered three options. In all options firefighters have moved to Station 20 in Sleepy Hollow, the difference in options is in the length of time firefighters are anticipated to be stationed outside of Fairfax.
In all cases firefighters move their essentials to Station 20, all soft materials (i.e. bedding) from the temporary station will be laundered, and before firefighters return to the temporary station, it will be checked for safety and the absence of flea infestation.
Treatment Plans Considered
Option Minimum Impact Notes
1. Pesticide application 3-5 business days California-registered flea-control product
2. Crack and crevice pesticide
and diatomaceous earth
application
3-4 weeks Very small spray application,
Diatomaceous earth is an inhalation
hazard, but may not be hazardous to eat
3. Boric acid on surfaces
approved for use
9+ weeks Boric acid is approved in the ordinance; it
is only effective on flea larvae not eggs
and adult fleas, and it should not be
ingested by humans
Following a discussion with RVFD personnel and the Ross Valley Firefighters Association representative, Option 1 is the most appropriate solution.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommended treatment is expected to cost several hundred dollars. Staff is obtaining final estimates and aim to have those provided at the meeting.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution
Town of Fairfax
Resolution No. 2026-
RESOLUTION 2026-
A RESOLUTION OF THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF FAIRFAX FOR AUTHORIZING AN EXCEPTION TO THE TOWN’S PESTICIDE ORDINANCE FOR FLEA
TREATMENTS AT THE TEMPORARY FIRE STATION
WHEREAS, a flea infestation has been identified at the Temporary Fire Station and in the adjacent playground; and
WHEREAS, fleas present a potential public-health concern requiring prompt control; and WHEREAS, the infestation required relocation of firefighters from the Fairfax Temporary Fire Station to Station 20 in Sleepy Hollow, and relocation of fire personnel will increase emergency-response times; and
WHEREAS, Council wishes to limit the length of time in which firefighters are relocated, and thus restore emergency-response times as soon as possible; and WHEREAS, the Town Council finds that an emergency threatens the health, safety, and welfare of the community, no reasonable alternative is available, and continued prohibition of pesticide use could result in a significant adverse impact on the Town; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED the Town Council authorizes an exception to Chapter 8.52 of the Fairfax Town Code to allow a licensed pest-control operator to apply, and reapply as necessary, California-registered flea-control treatments at the Temporary Fire Station, in accordance with all applicable laws and product-label requirements, until the infestation is controlled.
The foregoing Resolution was duly passed and adopted at a special meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Fairfax held in said Town on the 20th day of August 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
______________________________
STEPHANIE HELLMAN
MAYOR
ATTEST
_____________________________
CHRISTINE FOSTER
DEPUTY TOWN CLERK