Invasive Plant Rules in North Carolina (2026)
14 rules on the books across North Carolina, 14 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Prohibited Species
Plants that are banned or regulated in your area, including Japanese knotweed, kudzu, purple loosestrife, and other species that threaten native ecosystems.
Raleigh
Significant RestrictionsRaleigh's landscaping code bars invasive species from counting toward any required buffer, screen, or planting. UDO…
Read full rule →Cary
Some RestrictionsThe Town of Cary's Land Development Ordinance requires new landscape material installed in required perimeter buffers…
Read full rule →Chapel Hill
Some RestrictionsThe Land Use Management Ordinance names eight invasive exotic species, Norway Maple, mimosa, paper mulberry…
Read full rule →Charlotte
Some RestrictionsCharlotte's Unified Development Ordinance bars invasive plant species, as listed by the North Carolina Invasive Plant…
Read full rule →Fayetteville
Some RestrictionsFayetteville's landscaping code requires every property with an approved Landscape Plan to keep invasive plant species…
Read full rule →Greensboro
Some RestrictionsGreensboro's nuisance code bans letting kudzu, poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, or any other invasive plant…
Read full rule →Greenville
Some RestrictionsGreenville declares concentrated kudzu, poison sumac, poison ivy and poison oak a public nuisance under City Code…
Read full rule →High Point
Some RestrictionsHigh Point bans invasive species from any landscaping installed to satisfy the Development Ordinance's planting…
Read full rule →Mebane
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Mebane, North Carolina, the Unified Development Ordinance bars developers from using invasive species to…
Read full rule →Rose Hill
Some RestrictionsRose Hill's nuisance ordinance names specific invasive and noxious plant species, from Canada Thistle and Johnsongrass…
Read full rule →Union County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Union County, the Unified Development Ordinance blocks any tree or plant species on the North…
Read full rule →Concord
Light RestrictionsConcord's Development Ordinance keeps a named list of invasive exotic plants out of Low Impact Development landscaping…
Read full rule →Brunswick County
Few RestrictionsBrunswick County, North Carolina does not outlaw any invasive plant species by name. The Unified Development Ordinance…
Read full rule →Front Yard Gardens
Whether your city allows vegetable gardens, wildflower meadows, or native plant landscapes in the front yard, including any height limits or appearance standards.