Glen Cove, NY Invasive Plant Rules: Bamboo Restrictions (2026)

Local Law No. 3-2013 added Part 4 to Chapter 235 after the City Council found that bamboo 'has been and will continue to be destructive to the natural environment' and to structures and walkways on neighboring properties. Section 235-83(C) makes the prohibition explicit: the planting or growing of bamboo is prohibited within the City of Glen Cove, and anyone who plants or grows bamboo after the law's effective date is in violation and subject to penalties. Bamboo that predates the 2013 law gets grandfathered in, but with strings attached.

Under § 235-83(D), a 'bamboo property owner' whose bamboo was already growing before the law took effect must keep it from encroaching onto any adjoining property, including City-owned land and rights-of-way, and must install measures such as metal sheathing sunk into the ground to block underground spread. No bamboo may be planted, maintained or allowed to exist within 10 feet of a property line, street, sidewalk or public right-of-way if it blocks sight lines at intersections or blocks pedestrian access to sidewalks. If bamboo invades City property, the City sends notice by certified and regular mail, and the owner has 30 days to remove it; after that the City can remove it itself and bill the owner, with unpaid costs becoming a tax lien on the property.

If bamboo invades a neighbor's private property, the code puts the removal notice obligation on the neighbor first, then routes noncompliance through the Director of Public Works. Grandfathered bamboo also cannot be replanted once it dies or is removed, so the exemption shrinks over time rather than renewing itself.