Ames, IA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Ames Municipal Code Chapter 30, Public Nuisances, folds invasive and hazardous vegetation into its nuisance framework rather than a standalone plant list. Sec. 30.4 defines Noxious Weeds as the primary and secondary classes of weeds set by Iowa Code Section 317.1A, and creates a Weed Official, a person designated by the City Manager, to enforce noxious weed rules within city limits. Sec. 30.5(13) then makes the connection operative for enforcement: noxious weeds, or any other plant the City deems hazardous to persons or property, are declared a nuisance under the chapter, sitting alongside turf grass over 12 inches (30.5(11)) and dead or overgrown vegetation blocking building egress (30.5(10)).

Once a nuisance is identified, Sec. 30.6 places the duty to correct or abate it on the owner, agent, lessee or occupant in charge of the property, and Sec. 30.7 lets the City abate an uncorrected nuisance itself after written notice, recovering removal, investigation, notification and administrative costs from the responsible party. A property owner who disputes an abatement order can request a hearing before the seven-member Public Nuisance Appeals Board under Sec. 30.8, which must render its decision within 14 days of the hearing.