Invasive Plant Rules in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
2 verified invasive plant rules for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Prohibited Species
Philadelphia's Health Code lets the Department of Public Health order removal of noxious plants such as ragweed or poison ivy once they grow on an uncultivated lot to the point of becoming a menace to public health. Under Code § 6-402(8)(a), the Department directs the owner or person in charge to correct the condition, and ignoring that order draws a $150 to $300 fine under § 6-103(1).
Philadelphia Orders Removal of Noxious Plants
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code § 6-402(8)(a); § 6-502(1)-(5); § 6-103(1)-(3)
(8) Noxious Plants. (a) Whenever the Department finds any noxious plants such as ragweed or poison ivy growing on any uncultivated area to the extent that they are or may become a menace to public health, the Department may order the owner or person in charge thereof to correct or remove such condition. ... Section 6-502. Orders. (1) Except as otherwise provided and subject to the provisions of...
Tree-of-Heaven Removal
Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture maintains a Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine covering Philadelphia County under 7 Pa. Code chapter 110a. Tree-of-heaven, the lanternfly's primary host, is targeted for removal, and businesses moving regulated articles need a PDA permit and inspection.
Tree-of-heaven hosts spotted lanternfly under PDA quarantine
Heavy RestrictionsPA Department of Agriculture – Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine and Permitting
The Spotted Lanternfly or SLF, Lycorma delicatula (White), is an invasive planthopper native to Asia first discovered in PA in Berks County in 2014. SLF feeds on sap from a myriad of plants but has a strong preference for plants important to PA's economy including grapevines, maples, black walnut, birch and willow. SLF can be controlled by a combination of: physical removal at any life stage; r...