Bloomfield, NJ Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Article III of Chapter 423, Invasive Plants, was adopted 8-14-2023 by Ord. No. 23-39. Its stated purpose is to preserve and protect public and private property in Bloomfield Township from the damaging spread of invasive plants and to protect indigenous and other plant materials. Section 423-19 lists the regulated plants as printed: Canadian thistle, Eurasian watermilfoil, garlic mustard, Japanese knotweed, Japanese stiltgrass, mile-a-minute, purple loosestrife, Russian olive and water chestnut, including any cutting, flower, seed, root, other plant part or cultivar. All native and non-native bamboo is also an invasive plant under the same section.

The rule is a containment duty, not a flat planting ban. Section 423-20(A) states that property owners are strongly discouraged from planting any invasive plants, and that when one is planted or already located on a property, the owner and occupant are jointly and severally required to confine it, at their cost, so it does not encroach on other private or public property or a public right-of-way. Under § 423-20(B), the owner or occupant can instead remove the plant from the property and all surrounding affected properties. The duty to confine does not apply if the owner or occupant can establish to the satisfaction of the Township Inspector or Municipal Judge that the plant originated on another property (§ 423-20(E)).

The enforcing officer is the Township Health Department or its designee, as directed by the Township Administrator. An inspection follows a complaint, visual observation or other reason to believe the article is violated. Once the officer finds encroachment onto an affected property, the Township serves written notice on both owners, as listed by the Tax Assessor, by certified mail with return receipt requested and by regular mail. Within 45 days of receipt, the invasive plant owner must submit a removal and restoration plan, and within 120 days of plan approval the work must be finished to the Township's satisfaction (§ 423-21). Removal costs fall on the owner of the property where the plant originated.