Norfolk, VA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Section 27-2(d) defines "overgrowth" for nuisance purposes to include overgrown shrubs, trees, and other vegetation, including but not limited to running bamboo, vines, ivy, noxious weeds, and any other plant material that may inhibit the growth of native vegetation, once it has grown to more than 12 inches or accumulated so as to provide cover or harborage for rodents or vermin. Section 27-14 then makes that overgrowth unlawful, and imposes a cutting duty on the owner, occupant, or other person responsible for the land, extending to the center line of an abutting alley, whenever any one of six conditions applies: the overgrowth is abandoned or neglected; it substantially screens the building from pedestrians standing at ground level on the abutting right-of-way; it obstructs the property's address numerals; it blocks an emergency escape or rescue opening or the path of travel to an entrance; it is growing into or damaging a structure; or it is likely to harbor rodents or vermin or create another health, safety, or fire hazard.

Cut material cannot be piled in a gutter, street, or storm drain, and removing a city tree or bush still requires a permit from the director of neighborhood development.