Fairfax County, VA Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Virginia's Noxious Weed Law (VA Code §3.2-800–812) designates certain species as noxious weeds requiring control by landowners: Tier 1 noxious weeds (including wavyleaf basketgrass) must be eradicated and cannot be sold; Tier 2 weeds require control; Tier 3 weeds are regulated for sale/transport. VDACS and Virginia Cooperative Extension lead enforcement. Fairfax County augments the state program through the Fairfax County Park Authority's Invasive Management Area (IMA) program, which coordinates volunteers and staff removal of invasives from parkland — English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, tree-of-heaven (Ailanthus altissima), porcelain berry, mile-a-minute, garlic mustard, Japanese stiltgrass, and multiflora rose. On private property, the County does not typically force removal of non-noxious invasives but encourages it via the Plant NOVA Natives campaign. The sale of running bamboo is restricted in some Virginia jurisdictions, and Fairfax County has considered bamboo-containment rules after complaints about bamboo spreading between properties — under common law and civil nuisance, a neighbor whose bamboo spreads onto your land may be liable. Bradford/Callery pear is increasingly restricted; Virginia banned the sale of Callery pear effective January 2024. Invasive jumping worms and spotted lanternfly are regulated pests under VDACS orders. Tree-of-heaven is the primary host for spotted lanternfly and should be removed and treated.