Roanoke, VA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Height trigger
- Over 10 inches tall
- Named species
- Poison ivy, poison oak, thistle, milkweed, ragweed
- Criminal penalty
- Class 4 misdemeanor, per day
- Notice period
- 7 days to abate after posting
- Admin fee
- $100 plus abatement labor cost
- Large-lot exception
- >1 acre, natural growth 50+ ft from line
Summary
Roanoke's vegetation code brands a specific list of invasive and noxious plants, including poison ivy, poison oak, Canada thistle, milkweed, ragweed and sage brush, as "weeds" once they exceed ten inches in height on any parcel. City Code Sec. 33-19 then makes it a Class 4 misdemeanor for an owner to let them stand.
(h)Weed or weeds means any plant, grass or other vegetation over ten (10) inches in height growing upon a parcel in the City of Roanoke, including, but not limited to, any sage brush, poison oak, poison ivy, Ailanthus Altissima (commonly called Tree of Heaven or Paradise Tree), ragweed, dandelions, milkweed, Canada thistle, and any other undesirable growth, excluding trees, ornamental shrubbery, vegetable and flower gardens purposefully planted and maintained by the property owner or occupant free of weed hazard or nuisance, cultivated crops, or undisturbed woodland not otherwise in violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
" The definition carves out exceptions for trees, ornamental shrubbery, purposefully planted and maintained vegetable or flower gardens, cultivated crops, and undisturbed woodland not otherwise in violation. Section 33-18 declares that weeds growing on any parcel constitute a public nuisance, with one carve-out: on a parcel larger than one acre, natural vegetation growing more than fifty feet from every property line is not a nuisance. Section 33-19 places an affirmative duty on the owner to "immediately cut, remove or destroy" the listed weeds, and each day the violation continues after the compliance period is a separate Class 4 misdemeanor offense.
If the owner does not act, Sec. 33-20 requires the city manager to post and mail a written notice giving seven days to abate, with a right to appeal to the city manager and a hearing within five days of that appeal. Sec. 33-21 lets the city manager order city crews or a private contractor to complete the abatement if the owner still fails to act. Sec. 33-22 then bills the owner for the abatement cost, a minimum of two hours labor, plus a $100 administrative fee, and Sec.
33-23 turns the unpaid balance into a recorded lien against the parcel bearing interest at the legal rate, enforceable by the city attorney through the circuit court.
Violations & Fines
Failure to remove a listed invasive weed after notice is a Class 4 misdemeanor under Sec. 33-19, with each additional day of noncompliance charged as a separate offense. The city can also abate the nuisance itself and assess the owner for labor and equipment costs plus a $100 administrative fee under Sec. 33-22, recording the unpaid amount as a lien on the parcel under Sec. 33-23.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which invasive plants does Roanoke specifically name as weeds?
Do I have to remove these plants even if they are on a wooded lot?
What happens if I ignore a weed-abatement notice from the city?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roanoke
Compare Roanoke to another location·View the Virginia invasive plant rules overview
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