Invasive Plant Rules in Massachusetts (2026)
4 rules on the books across Massachusetts, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Bamboo Restrictions
Rules about planting running bamboo near property lines, containment requirements, removal obligations, and fines for bamboo that spreads to neighboring properties.
Prohibited Species
Plants that are banned or regulated in your area, including Japanese knotweed, kudzu, purple loosestrife, and other species that threaten native ecosystems.
Boston
Some RestrictionsBoston Code § 7-4.7(C) defines an invasive plant by reference to the commonwealth's prohibited plant list, and lets the…
Read full rule →Somerville
Light RestrictionsSomerville bars the city from including any invasive plant in its own plantings under Code Sec. 12-176. The rule covers…
Read full rule →Tree-of-Heaven Removal
Rules requiring removal of Ailanthus altissima (tree-of-heaven), the invasive species that hosts spotted lanternfly, including state programs and city-level mandates.