Kansas City, MO Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 10-inch vegetation or invasive species
- First fine
- up to $200
- Repeat fine
- up to $450 (4th+)
- Admin citation range
- $100 to $1,000
- Ag exemption
- farmland 150+ ft from housing
Summary
Kansas City's nuisance code (§ 48-30) declares it a nuisance to let invasive plants, noxious plants, or poisonous-to-touch plants stand on any lot, adjoining sidewalk, alley, or right-of-way, enforced through the same notice-and-abatement process as overgrown weeds.
Excessive growth of vegetation, invasive plants, noxious plants and poisonous plants to the touch, all as defined by this chapter, allowed to stand at any season of the year upon any premise, lot, tract or parcel of land, or unpaved alley, or along any sidewalk, street or paved alley adjacent to such premise, lot, tract or parcel of land, or along any right-of-way area adjoining such premise, lot, tract or parcel of land are hereby declared to constitute a nuisance. This section shall not apply to either:
(1)Land zoned or used for agricultural use which is more than 150 feet distant from any occupied residential subdivision, lot, tract or parcel of land; or(2)Any vegetation that falls within any portion of land that meets the definition of a managed natural landscape as defined by this chapter. (Ord. No. 250637, § 1, 9-11-25)
Editor's note— Ord. No. 250637, § 1, adopted Sept. 11, 2025, repealed the former § 48-30, and enacted a new § 48-30 as set out herein. The former § 48-30 pertained to rank weeds and noxious plants and derived from Ord. No. 971346, § 1, adopted Oct. 2, 1997; Ord. No. 050191, § 1, adopted Feb. 24, 2005.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 139 | Zoning and Development Code: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
Effective September 2025 under Ord. No. 250637, Kansas City's nuisance code makes it a nuisance to let an invasive plant, any non-native species the Missouri Department of Conservation, Department of Agriculture, or the city director designates as harmful, stand on a lot, adjoining sidewalk, unpaved alley, or right-of-way, alongside noxious plants and turf over ten inches. The rule exempts farmland more than 150 feet from housing and any certified 'managed natural landscape,' which by definition must itself be free of invasive species. Neighborhood services issues a written removal order with at least ten days to comply before the city abates the nuisance itself.
Violations & Fines
Ignoring a removal order lets the city abate the nuisance and bill the owner. Municipal-court fines run $200 for a first offense up to $450 for a fourth within 12 months; administrative citations range $100 to $1,000, and each day of noncompliance is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an invasive plant under this ordinance?
Does a wildflower or pollinator garden violate the rule?
What happens if I ignore a removal order?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kansas City
Compare Kansas City to another location·View the Missouri invasive plant rules overview
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