Olathe, KS Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Olathe's UDO doesn't regulate invasive plants citywide, but it flatly bars a named list of species from development-required street tree and landscape plantings: Ailanthus (tree of heaven), white and silver birch, box elder, catalpa, cottonwood, Siberian elm, fruit trees, silver maple, mimosa, pin oak, Russian olive, poplar, weeping trees, willows and every ash species. The code states the rationale directly: prohibited plants are those invasive or potentially damaging to streets, sidewalks, utilities, drainage improvements and foundations. The Planning Official maintains and updates the underlying preferred and prohibited species lists referenced in every landscape plan submitted with a site development plan or building permit.