How Beaverton Handles Invasive Plant Rules: A Practical Guide
Beaverton maintains 115 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with invasive plant rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Beaverton falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Prohibited Species
Within Beaverton's Cooper Mountain Resource Overlay, planting vegetation on the city's approved nuisance or prohibited species plant lists is banned to protect wetlands and wildlife habitat.
Key details: Citation: Beaverton Development Code § 60.37.20.F. Applies to: Cooper Mountain Community Plan area only. Effective date: January 2, 2025. Plant lists: City Tree List, CWS, Metro, Portland lists. Base authority: Metro Title 13 / Statewide Goal 5.
Planting a listed nuisance or prohibited species within the Cooper Mountain Resource Overlay violates Development Code § 60.37.20 and can require removal, restoration, and mitigation under the Resource Overlay review standards.
This is one of the stricter rules in Beaverton's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.
Tree-of-Heaven Removal
Beaverton's Development Code exempts Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) from Tree Plan permit requirements when removed or pruned inside a Significant Natural Resource Area or Significant Grove, along with three other listed nuisance species.
Key details: Exempt species: Tree-of-Heaven (Ailanthus altissima). Exempt zone: SNRAs and Significant Groves only. Permit needed: None for qualifying removal. Also exempt: Norway maple, Golden Chain, Hawthorn. Authority: Development Code § 40.90.10(9).
None for qualifying removal within SNRAs/Significant Groves; removing a Significant Individual Tree of any species elsewhere still requires a Tree Plan and can draw monetary penalties under § 60.60.07.
The rules around tree-of-heaven removal in Beaverton lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
The Bottom Line
Beaverton's invasive plant rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Beaverton is broadly strict or permissive.
Keep in mind that Beaverton can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.