Newport News, VA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Species banned
- 16 tree species prohibited
- Applies to
- site plan landscaping only
- Enforced by
- Department of Planning
- Notable bans
- Tree of Heaven, Bradford Pear, Silver Maple
Summary
Newport News bars site developers from counting sixteen invasive or weak-wooded tree species, including Tree of Heaven, Bradford Pear, and Silver Maple, toward the landscaping required on approved development site plans.
The species of the trees, shrubs and ground covers which may be planted shall be left to the discretion of the property owner, the owner's agent or the developer, as applicable, with the exception that use of the following species of trees shall be prohibited: American Elm (Ulmus americana); Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia); Bradford Pear (pyrus calleryana 'Bradford'); Mimosa (Albizzia julibrissin); Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila); Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum); Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus glandulosa); Virginia (Scrub) Pine (Pinus virginiana); Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 81).
Full Breakdown
Newport News Code of Ordinances Sec. 33.02-51(b)(2)e prohibits developers from using sixteen listed tree species to satisfy the city's mandatory landscaping and green area requirements on site plans, including American Elm, Black Locust, Bradford Pear, Chinaberry, Mimosa, Siberian Elm, Silver Maple, Tree of Heaven, Virginia (Scrub) Pine, and Weeping Willow. The ban applies specifically to plant material chosen to meet the developed-site landscaping percentage, and is enforced by the department of planning during site plan review, not as a general nursery or homeowner planting rule.
Violations & Fines
Site plans proposing a banned species are rejected at plan review; occupancy or building permits tied to an unapproved landscaping plan can be withheld until compliant plantings are substituted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant a Bradford Pear in my Newport News yard?
Does the prohibited species list cover existing trees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newport News
Compare Newport News to another location·View the Virginia invasive plant rules overview
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