Lower Paxton, PA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

The only invasive-plant mandate in the Lower Paxton Township Code appears in § 180-515, Landscaping design standards, part of the subdivision and land development chapter. Subsection A(1) says the section applies to subdivision and land development applications that require buffer yards and screen plantings under the Zoning Ordinance, require street trees for new streets, propose new parking facilities, or involve new multifamily, commercial and industrial buildings.

Subsection B(8) lets an existing wooded area meet the buffer yard requirement if conditions are satisfied. The wooded area must encompass the entire required width of the buffer yard with no change of grade proposed in the buffer (B(8)(a)). It must be primarily comprised of acceptable native woody plant species as described in the Native Plant List published by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (PA DCNR) (B(8)(b)). It must be a dense, healthy stand that will provide a buffer equal to or better than the required buffer when mature (B(8)(c)), and supplemental planting may be required to reach the required number, species mix and visual screening (B(8)(d)). Then comes the removal rule in B(8)(e): all invasive and noxious weeds and trees shall be deadened and removed from the buffer area.

The code names no individual invasive species, so the Township and its Engineer apply the words invasive and noxious to the plan in front of them. Related native-species standards in the same section include a landscape credit for preserving existing trees only if they are of a quality native species acceptable to the Township (subsection F), and street tree species are approved only after review by the Township Shade Tree Commission (E(2)(i)). Constructed buffers must also mix deciduous shade and ornamental trees with deciduous and evergreen shrubs and cannot consist of evergreen species only (B(2)).

For ordinary lots, the Property Maintenance chapter is the nearest rule. Section 148-2 amends International Property Maintenance Code Section 302.4 to read that all premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches, and that all noxious weeds shall be prohibited.