Renton, WA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing lists
- WA State Noxious Weed Control Board + King County invasive species list
- Where it applies
- Required landscaped areas only
- Plan review
- Detailed landscape plans need Administrator approval
- Maintenance duty
- Owner must keep plantings weed-free, RMC 4-4-070.P1
- Enforcement
- Written correction notice, then code enforcement
Summary
Plants listed as a nuisance or prohibited by the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, or listed by King County on its invasive species list, cannot be used in required landscaped areas anywhere in Renton, under RMC 4-4-070.L5.
5. Prohibited Plant Materials: Plants listed as a nuisance or prohibited by Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board or listed by King County on the County's invasive species list are prohibited in required landscaped areas. (Ord. 5828, 12-12-2016) ... b. Caution should be used so as to avoid introducing highly invasive plants into the City landscape.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 6197, passed August 10, 2026).
Full Breakdown
L5 bars any plant that appears on the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board's prohibited list or King County's invasive species list from required landscaped areas citywide, meaning the ban attaches to whichever state and county lists are current rather than a fixed local list the City maintains itself. L1b), and it applies on top of the requirement that all plant material meet the American Standards for Nursery Plant Stock. Because the prohibition is tied to "required landscaped areas," it governs the landscaping the City requires as a condition of development, parking lot screening, buffers, and similar approved plans, not necessarily every plant on a homeowner's property.
O. P1, requiring owners to keep planting areas healthy and free of weeds, with periodic inspection by the Department of Community and Economic Development. P2.
Violations & Fines
Installing or maintaining a state- or county-listed noxious or invasive species in a required landscaped area is a compliance failure under RMC 4-4-070.L5, addressed through the Department of Community and Economic Development's inspection and written-notice process under RMC 4-4-070.P2. Using land in violation of an approved landscape plan is punishable as a misdemeanor under RMC 1-3-1.A2, and the City may also pursue non-judicial code enforcement under chapter 1-10 RMC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which list decides what's a prohibited plant in Renton?
Does the ban cover my whole yard or just certain areas?
What happens if my required landscaping isn't maintained properly?
Can I be prosecuted for violating the landscaping plant rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Renton
Compare Renton to another location·View the Washington invasive plant rules overview
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Prohibited Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle prohibited species.