Plainfield, NJ Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Article 3 of Chapter 15 of the Plainfield Municipal Code names two prohibited plants for the City of Plainfield: ragweed and poison ivy. Neither is labeled invasive in the code, and the article prints no longer species list; it treats both as a public health nuisance. Section 15:3-1 declares the growth, existence or presence of either plant on any plot of land, lot, street, highway, right-of-way or other public or private place a nuisance detrimental to public health. A note under the article points to the New Jersey Weed Control Code (1953) as the state reference.

Section 15:3-2 turns the declaration into a duty. No owner, tenant or occupant of any plot of land, lot, right-of-way or other private place can cause, allow or permit ragweed or poison ivy to grow or exist there. On streets, highways, City-owned property and public places, the Health Officer or a designee is responsible for control and eradication.

Enforcement runs on notice. Section 15:3-3 requires written notice to the owner to remove or abate the nuisance within the time the notice specifies, which cannot be less than five days from service. A duplicate goes to one or more tenants or occupants, and 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, which counts as proper notification. If the person does not comply, Sections 15:3-4 and 15:3-5 let the Health Officer or a designee abate the nuisance, or have it removed, in a summary manner by such means as the officer deems proper. Section 15:3-6 lets the Health Officer sue to recover the Division of Health's costs, and Section 15:3-7 assigns enforcement of the article to the Division of Health.