Howell, NJ Invasive Plant Rules: Bamboo Restrictions (2026)

Bamboo regulation in Howell Township began with a bamboo-only chapter adopted 7-15-2014 as Ord. No. O-14-17. Ord. No. O-20-14, adopted 7-14-2020, superseded it with the current Chapter 180, which treats bamboo as one category of invasive plant. Section 180-2(B) covers all native and non-native bamboo and expressly includes both running (monopodial) and clumping (sympodial) species, so a clumping variety gets no exemption. The definition is not limited to the listed genera, which run from Arundinaria and Bambusa through Sasa, Sasaella and Semiarundinaria. Under § 180-3, Howell Township property owners are strongly discouraged from planting bamboo, and an owner or occupant of a lot where it already grows is jointly and severally required to confine it at their cost so it does not reach any other private or public property or public right-of-way.

Removing the bamboo entirely, from the lot and from all surrounding affected properties, is the alternative. The duty falls away only if the owner proves the bamboo originated on another property. The Enforcing Officer, the Township Code Enforcement Officer or a designee, starts the process on a complaint or visual observation. If the inspection finds bamboo on a neighbor's land or in a right-of-way, the Township serves notice by certified and regular mail on both owners and demands removal from the affected property plus approved confinement on the owner's lot.

The bamboo owner then has 45 days to file a plan that includes restoration of the affected property, and 120 days after plan approval to finish the work to the Township's satisfaction.