Invasive Plant Rules in South Carolina (2026)
8 rules on the books across South Carolina, 5 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.
Columbia
Some RestrictionsColumbia's Unified Development Ordinance bars any plant on the South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council's invasive list…
Read full rule →Dorchester County
Some RestrictionsDorchester County lists Sweet Gum, Bradford Pear, and River Birch as illegal, invasive, or poor-quality species, which…
Read full rule →Mount Pleasant
Some RestrictionsIn the Town of Mount Pleasant, Town Code § 156.583 bars planting or counting toward any landscaping requirement any…
Read full rule →Beaufort County
Light RestrictionsBeaufort County's Community Development Code lists six invasive tree species, Chinaberry, Chinese Tallow, Mimosa, Paper…
Read full rule →Laurens County
Light RestrictionsUnincorporated Laurens County's tree protection ordinance carves ten invasive tree species, plus six invasive shrub and…
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.
Beaufort County
Light RestrictionsBeaufort County's Community Development Code names Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissma) an invasive tree species in…
Read full rule →Laurens County
Light RestrictionsLaurens County's tree protection ordinance names tree-of-heaven, Ailanthus altissima, on its Table D.6 nuisance species…
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