Invasive Plant Rules in Ohio (2026)
12 rules on the books across Ohio, 10 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.
Cincinnati
Heavy RestrictionsCincinnati's Urban Agriculture chapter bars anyone growing food or keeping animals under Chapter 1422 from introducing…
Read full rule →Columbus
Significant RestrictionsColumbus's Recreation and Parks Department keeps an official list of prohibited tree species, including known invasive…
Read full rule →Akron
Some RestrictionsAkron won't let a subdivider plant certain trees as street trees in a new allotment. City Code § 151.18(E) bans silver…
Read full rule →Dayton
Some RestrictionsDayton bans a dozen tree species, including tree of Heaven and American elm, from street-tree plantings in the public…
Read full rule →Middletown
Some RestrictionsMiddletown's code names eight weed species, Russian, Canadian and common thistle, wild lettuce, wild mustard, wild…
Read full rule →Newark
Some RestrictionsIn the City of Newark, Ohio, two lists ban specific trees. Section 1028.08 bars sixteen named genera and species…
Read full rule →Parma
Some RestrictionsParma bans letting noxious weeds on the state's official list grow, mature or go to seed on any lot. The Code Official…
Read full rule →Summit County
Some RestrictionsSummit County declares noxious weeds and rank vegetation over eight inches a public nuisance on improved township…
Read full rule →Cleveland
Light RestrictionsCleveland doesn't ban invasive plants citywide, but within its riparian and wetland setbacks the Zoning Code requires…
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.
Dayton
Some RestrictionsDayton's zoning code lists Ailanthus altissima, Tree-of-heaven, among ten tree species banned from planting along…
Read full rule →Toledo
Some RestrictionsToledo's tree code names Tree of Heaven among the species banned from street-side planting without a special permit…
Read full rule →Newark
Light RestrictionsSection 1028.08 of the Newark Code of Ordinances lists Ailanthus altissima, Tree of Heaven, among the trees that cannot…
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