Perth Amboy, NJ Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Chapter 308, Nuisances, traces to Ord. No. C-657, adopted by the Board of Commissioners (now the Council) of the City of Perth Amboy on 10-5-60. Section 308-1 declares that the growth, existence or presence of ragweed or poison ivy on any plot of land, lot, street, highway, right-of-way or any other public or private place is detrimental to public health and is a nuisance. The duty falls on every owner, tenant or occupant, none of whom can cause, allow or permit either plant to grow or exist. Chapter 308 names only ragweed and poison ivy, and the code text searched holds no list of other banned invasive species.

On private land, § 308-2 has the Health Officer give written notice to the owner to remove or abate the nuisance within the time the notice specifies, never less than five (5) days from the date of service. A duplicate goes to one or more tenants or occupants. If the owner lives out of state or cannot be notified speedily, the notice is left with the tenant or occupant or posted on the premises, and that counts as proper notification.

On public property, highways and other public places, § 308-3 has the Health Officer give notice to the person in charge. If that person misses the deadline, the Health Officer can remove or abate the nuisance in the same manner as on private land.

Under § 308-4, when notice is ignored the Health Officer proceeds to abate the nuisance or has it removed in a summary manner by such means as the Health Officer deems proper. Section 308-5 then lets the Health Officer bring an action at law to recover the cost from whoever caused or allowed the nuisance, or from an owner, tenant or occupant who failed to abate it after notice. Overgrowth of ordinary weeds and brush falls under Chapter 243, § 243-14.1, which sets a 10-day removal deadline.