Invasive Plant Rules in Roanoke, VA (2026)
2 verified invasive plant rules for Roanoke, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Prohibited Species
Roanoke's vegetation code brands a specific list of invasive and noxious plants, including poison ivy, poison oak, Canada thistle, milkweed, ragweed and sage brush, as "weeds" once they exceed ten inches in height on any parcel. City Code Sec. 33-19 then makes it a Class 4 misdemeanor for an owner to let them stand.
Roanoke Names Invasive Weeds a Nuisance
Some RestrictionsRoanoke, VA City Code § 33-17(h)
(h)Weed or weeds means any plant, grass or other vegetation over ten (10) inches in height growing upon a parcel in the City of Roanoke, including, but not limited to, any sage brush, poison oak, poison ivy, Ailanthus Altissima (commonly called Tree of Heaven or Paradise Tree), ragweed, dandelions, milkweed, Canada thistle, and any other undesirable growth, excluding trees, ornamental shrubbery...
Front Yard Gardens
Roanoke's weed-nuisance ordinance does not reach purposefully planted vegetable and flower gardens: Sec. 33-17(h) carves them out of the 'weed' definition as long as the owner or occupant keeps the garden free of weed hazard or nuisance, so a front yard garden itself cannot trigger a weed-abatement notice.
Roanoke Front Yard Garden Weed Exemption
Few RestrictionsRoanoke City Code Sec. 33-17(h)
Weed or weeds means any plant, grass or other vegetation over ten (10) inches in height growing upon a parcel in the City of Roanoke, including, but not limited to, any sage brush, poison oak, poison ivy, Ailanthus Altissima (commonly called Tree of Heaven or Paradise Tree), ragweed, dandelions, milkweed, Canada thistle, and any other undesirable growth, excluding trees, ornamental shrubbery, v...