The former Tory frontbencher, who has been MP for Brentwood and Ongar since 1992, said he had planned to step down in 2020 but has concluded “now is the right time”.
The 65-year-old tweeted: “Looking forward to #GE2017 as a canvasser, not a candidate. Thank you Brentwood and Ongar for your support and friendship over 25 years.”
Mr Pickles has served as Tory Party Chairman and Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
In a statement he said: “I have served in elected office, either as a councillor or a Member of Parliament for just short of forty years, starting with the wonderful Margaret Thatcher up to and including Theresa May.
“I strongly believe that it is in the national interest for Theresa to receive the clear endorsement of the British people for her difficult task of removing this country from the EU.
“She has proved to be a great PM and has my full support in the coming campaign.
“I had intended the present Parliament to be my last one, and I am grateful for the invitation to serve a further five years.
“After much heart searching I have concluded that now is the right time for Brentwood and Ongar to have a new representative in Westminster.”
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