Tuolumne County, CA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- County List
- None: defer to Ag Comm
- State Law
- F&A Code §5004
- Key Invasives
- Yellow starthistle, Scotch broom
- Enforcement
- Ag Commissioner
Summary
Tuolumne County defers to the Tuolumne County Agricultural Commissioner and California Food & Agriculture Code §5004 for noxious weed management. The county does not maintain its own prohibited plant species list.
DIVISION 4. PLANT QUARANTINE AND PEST CONTROL [5001 - 8808] ( Division 4 enacted by Stats. 1967, Ch. 15. ) PART 1. GENERALLY [5001 - 6299] ( Part 1 enacted by Stats. 1967, Ch. 15. ) CHAPTER 1. Definitions and General Provisions [5001 - 5035] ( Chapter 1 enacted by Stats. 1967, Ch. 15. ) ARTICLE 1. Definitions [5001 - 5012] ( Article 1 enacted by Stats. 1967, Ch. 15. )
5004. “Noxious weed” means any species of plant that is, or is liable to be, troublesome, aggressive, intrusive, detrimental, or destructive to agriculture, silviculture, or important native species, and difficult to control or eradicate, which the director, by regulation, designates to be a noxious weed. In determining whether or not a species shall be designated a noxious weed for the purposes of protecting silviculture or important native plant species, the director shall not make that designation if the designation will be detrimental to agriculture. (Amended by Stats. 1992, Ch. 556, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 1993.)
Full Breakdown
Tuolumne County does not have a county-specific prohibited plant species ordinance. Noxious and invasive weed management is handled through the Tuolumne County Agricultural Commissioner's Office under California Food & Agriculture Code §5004, which authorizes county agricultural commissioners to maintain noxious weed lists and enforce abatement. Common invasive species in the Sierra foothills include yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), and tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima). The county's Hazardous Vegetation Ordinance addresses fire-risk vegetation but does not specifically target invasive species. Cal-IPC (California Invasive Plant Council) maintains statewide invasive species assessments.
Violations & Fines
Noxious weed violations: Agricultural Commissioner enforcement under Food & Ag Code §5004.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tuolumne County ban specific plants?
What invasive plants are a problem in Tuolumne County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tuolumne County
California rules heatmap·Compare Tuolumne County to another location·View the California invasive plant rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.