Stearns County, MN Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Named species
- Buckthorn, Purple Loosestrife, Poison Ivy, Prickly Ash
- Where it applies
- DNR-delineated native plant communities only
- No general ban
- No countywide invasive-species list in Ord. 439
- No plan needed
- Removal exempt from biodiversity-plan rule
Summary
Stearns County does not maintain a general list of banned invasive plants. Instead, within mapped native plant community areas where Ordinance 439 otherwise bars clearing, Section 7.7.2.D specifically frees landowners to remove named invasive and noxious species, European Buckthorn, Purple Loosestrife, Poison Ivy and Prickly Ash, without triggering the biodiversity-plan approval the rest of Section 7.7.2 requires.
All clearing of vegetation in the delineated area, except for safety purposes, farmland, driveways and mining, is prohibited. Clearing of vegetation for the purpose of enhancing or maintaining the biodiversity of the area is permitted provided that a plan has been submitted to and approved by the Department. The removal of non-native invasive species such as European Buckthorn or Purple Loosestrife or noxious species such as Poison Ivy or Prickly Ash is permitted.
Full Breakdown
C sets a general rule for parcels inside a DNR-mapped native plant community: all clearing of vegetation is prohibited except for safety purposes, farmland, driveways and mining, and any other clearing needs a biodiversity plan approved in advance by the Environmental Services Department. ' Read together, the two provisions mean a landowner inside a mapped community can pull buckthorn or loosestrife without first obtaining Department sign-off on a biodiversity plan, even though removing other native vegetation in that same area would require one. Outside the mapped native plant community boundaries, Ordinance 439 does not separately regulate invasive plant species in the sections reviewed; there is no standalone noxious-weed or banned-species schedule elsewhere in this section. 7.
Violations & Fines
There is no penalty for removing the named invasive species: Section 7.7.2.D affirmatively permits it. The exposure runs the other way. Clearing anything else inside a delineated native plant community without meeting the safety, farmland, driveway or mining exceptions, or without an approved biodiversity plan, violates Section 7.7.2.C and can hold up a Department permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Stearns County ban planting invasive species like buckthorn?
Can I remove buckthorn without a permit if my land is in a mapped native plant community?
What happens if I clear other vegetation while removing invasive plants?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stearns County
Compare Stearns County to another location·View the Minnesota invasive plant rules overview
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