Lacey, WA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Chapter 9.52 of the Lacey Municipal Code opens by declaring a set of conditions harmful to the health, safety, peace, comfort or welfare of the citizens of the city. Item D covers hazardous vegetation. It names poison oak, poison ivy, deadly nightshade, tansy and ragwort, and its catch-all reaches any similar noxious or toxic weed or plant. The phrase "allowed to grow on any property" puts the duty on whoever holds the land, and § 9.52.020 says so directly: it is unlawful to participate in, cause or maintain, or allow to exist on property owned or occupied by that person, any listed condition.

The criminal penalty is delayed. Under § 9.52.020, item D becomes a misdemeanor only when the condition is still present after the date set for correction by a city enforcement officer pursuant to Chapter 14.40 LMC. That chapter is the civil process behind the date. The applicable department director first tries to secure voluntary correction by contacting the responsible person, explaining the violation and requesting correction. A Voluntary Correction Agreement then fixes a deadline and conditions, and signing it waives the right to an administrative appeal. Under § 14.40.040 the director can skip that step and issue a Notice of Civil Violation at once in an emergency, for a repeat violation, for a condition that cannot be corrected, or when the person knows or reasonably should have known the action violates a Lacey regulation.

Lake users face a related duty in § 9.56.228. Operators of motorized and non-motorized vessels, and anyone fishing from a public or private dock or from shore, must inspect vessels, recreational equipment and fishing equipment for aquatic weeds and plant life immediately before and after use on any lake, pond, or other body of water within the city. Plant material found must be removed at once and put in a standard refuse container. It cannot be left on the shore or the ground, dropped into any body of water, or left on any part of a public launching facility or adjacent private property.