Greenville, NC Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Regulated species
- Kudzu, poison sumac, poison ivy, poison oak
- Heavily wooded lot exemption
- Exempt unless encroaching or a nuisance focal point
- Encroachment trigger
- Onto adjoining building or public street/sidewalk
- Abatement notice
- 10 days to remove
- First-offense penalty
- $100 civil penalty
Summary
Greenville declares concentrated kudzu, poison sumac, poison ivy and poison oak a public nuisance under City Code Section 12-3-4(D), but exempts natural growth on a heavily wooded lot unless it encroaches on a neighboring building, a sidewalk or street, or feeds another nuisance. Code Enforcement can order removal and fine noncompliant owners.
(D) A concentrated growth of kudzu, poison sumac (Rhus vernix), poison ivy (Rhus radicans), poison oak (Rhus toxicondendron) or other noxious vegetation, other than kudzu or noxious vegetation growing in a heavily wooded lot unless such growth from the heavily wooded lot is: (1) Encroaching upon any adjoining property with a building or structure. Removal of any noxious vegetation found overhanging onto adjoining properties shall be the responsibility of said adjoining property owner(s); (2) Encroaching upon the sidewalk, the driveway, or the curb or edge of the pavement of any abutting street; or (3) A focal point for any other nuisance enumerated in this Code;
Full Breakdown
' Growth of kudzu or other noxious vegetation on a heavily wooded lot is exempt from the nuisance finding unless it is encroaching upon an adjoining property that has a building or structure, in which case removing overhanging vegetation becomes the responsibility of the adjoining owner; encroaching upon a sidewalk, driveway, or the curb or edge of the pavement of an abutting street; or serving as a focal point for any other nuisance enumerated in the chapter. 'Noxious vegetation' is defined in Section 12-3-1 as plants causing dermatitis through contact or internal poisoning if ingested, expressly including poison sumac, poison ivy and poison oak.
The Code Enforcement Division enforces the section under Section 12-3-3, and a property owner who lets kudzu or poison ivy spread onto a neighbor's yard or into the right-of-way can be issued a written notice to abate within ten days under Section 12-3-6, with the same appeal rights under Section 12-3-10 as any other Chapter 3 nuisance.
Violations & Fines
Failure to abate a Section 12-3-4(D) violation after notice carries a civil penalty of $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second offense within 365 days, and $500 for a third or later offense in that window, per Section 12-3-11(A), with each day of continued growth treated as a separate violation. If the owner does not clear the vegetation, the city may remove it under Section 12-3-9 and bill the cost, plus a notice and collection fee, as a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is kudzu illegal to have on my property in Greenville?
Who is responsible for poison ivy that spreads onto my neighbor's yard?
What happens if I do not clear kudzu after a city notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Greenville
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