Bethlehem, PA Invasive Plant Rules: Bamboo Restrictions (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulated species
- running (monopodial) bamboo only
- Minimum setback
- 20 ft from lines/easements/ROW
- Barrier thickness
- 40 mils, HDPE/polypropylene
- Barrier depth
- at least 30 inches
- Grandfather cutoff
- existed before 4/18/2017
- Classification
- summary offense
Summary
Bethlehem makes planting, growing or allowing running bamboo a summary offense unless the owner proves it predates 2017, sits at least 20 feet from every property line, easement and right-of-way, and is contained behind a heavy-duty underground barrier. Letting it spread onto a neighbor's land is also a violation.
(c) Any property owner or occupant who, with respect to running bamboo, plants, grows, maintains, or allows any of the same, on the property, or who permits running bamboo to spread from or to an adjoining property, shall be guilty of a summary offense, unless said owner can establish to the reasonable satisfaction of the City or court that the following conditions are met: (1) Such running bamboo existed at its then present location prior to the enactment of this ordinance; (2) No part of the running bamboo and its root system is closer than 20' from any property line, utility easement, and public right of way; (3) Such running bamboo shall be isolated from all other vegetation by a barrier composed of a high density polypropylene or polyethylene, with a thickness of at least 40 mils.
Full Breakdown
07 defines 'Running Bamboo' as any monopodial, spreading woody grass that sends out underground rhizomes, covering the plant, its roots and its rhizomes, and the City enforces it by growth pattern rather than requiring biological species identification. Subsection (c), added by Ordinance 2017-14 on April 18, 2017, makes it a summary offense for a property owner or occupant to plant, grow, maintain or allow running bamboo, or to let it spread onto an adjoining property, unless the owner can prove three things to the City's or a court's satisfaction: the bamboo already existed at that location before the 2017 ordinance; no part of the plant or its root system comes within 20 feet of any property line, utility easement or public right-of-way; and the stand is isolated by a containment barrier of high-density polypropylene or polyethylene at least 40 mils thick, joined with stainless steel clamps or closure strips, installed at least 30 inches deep with at least 3 inches protruding above grade and sloped outward from bottom to top.
Subsection (d) requires that any removed bamboo plant or root system be disposed of 'in an ecologically sensitive manner within a sealed container,' rather than left as yard waste or burned. 10 apply if an owner fails to comply after notice.
Violations & Fines
A running-bamboo violation is a summary offense under Article 1161.07(c); if the owner cannot meet the pre-existence, 20-foot setback and barrier defenses, the general Article 1161.99 penalty schedule applies: $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, $500 for a third and $1,000 for a fourth or later offense, with imprisonment as an alternative in each tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is all bamboo banned in Bethlehem?
Can I keep running bamboo I already planted?
What kind of barrier does the code require?
What if my neighbor's bamboo spreads onto my yard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bethlehem
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