Yakima, WA Invasive Plant Rules: Bamboo Restrictions (2026)

A review of Yakima Municipal Code Title 6 (Health and Sanitation), Title 8 (Streets and Sidewalks), Title 11 (Public Facilities), and Title 15 (Land Use) shows no bamboo-specific provision. True running and clumping bamboo are not listed on the Washington State Noxious Weed list (Chapter 16-750 WAC) or the Yakima County Noxious Weed Board's annual weed list. Importantly, Yakima County Noxious Weed Board materials emphasize that Japanese, Giant, Bohemian, and Himalayan knotweed - once sold under names such as 'Chinese bamboo' or 'false bamboo' - have taken over river systems and creeks throughout the Yakima Valley, damaging water systems, destroying foundations, and pushing out native vegetation. Knotweed is a Class B Designate noxious weed in Yakima County with mandatory control: property owners must prevent the spread and the County Weed Board may issue notices and abate at the owner's expense. Running bamboo (Phyllostachys) is not regulated by name, but a property owner whose bamboo encroaches over a property line may face a private-nuisance claim. Yakima County Extension recommends planting clumping bamboo (Fargesia) over running varieties and installing a 24-30 inch deep root barrier. Verify any plant identification with the Yakima County Noxious Weed Control Board, (509) 574-2180, before planting to ensure it is not a regulated 'false bamboo' knotweed species.