Invasive Plant Rules in Tennessee (2026)
8 rules on the books across Tennessee, 7 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.
Chattanooga
Some RestrictionsChattanooga's landscape article bans invasive exotic plants from every required landscape plan. Sec. 38-63(a)(2)…
Read full rule →Franklin
Some RestrictionsFranklin's landscape standards bar developers from using any species on the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council's…
Read full rule →Hamilton County
Some RestrictionsHamilton County's Zoning Regulations bar sixteen named invasive species, including kudzu vine, Japanese honeysuckle…
Read full rule →Knoxville
Some RestrictionsKnoxville's zoning landscape standards flatly prohibit invasive species on any required landscape plan, steering…
Read full rule →Murfreesboro
Some RestrictionsMurfreesboro requires native vegetation in its Water Quality Protection Area stream buffers and flatly prohibits…
Read full rule →Nashville
Some RestrictionsMetro Nashville's zoning code bars invasive exotic pest plants from being planted or credited toward required…
Read full rule →Rutherford County
Some RestrictionsAny landscaping plan filed with unincorporated Rutherford County cannot include a tree species on the Planning…
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.