There are a few Acts in BC that allow for the control of invasive species.

The Weeds Act

The Weeds Act is provincial legislation requiring landowners and managers to control certain invasive species on their property. Otherwise, the property owner will have to pay for the cost of invasive species control.

Species covered under the Weeds Act include:

  • Bur Chervil (Anthriscus caucalis)
  • Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
  • Common Reed (Phragmites australis subsp. australis)
  • Cordgrass, Dense-flowered (Spartina densiflora)
  • Cordgrass, English (Spartina anglica)
  • Cordgrass, Saltmeadow (Spartina patens)
  • Cordgrass, Smooth (Spartina alterniflora)
  • Crupina (Crupina vulgaris)
  • Dodder (Cuscuta spp.)
  • Flowering Rush (Butomus umbellatus)
  • Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  • Giant Mannagrass/Reed Sweetgrass (Glyceria maxima)
  • Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
  • Hound’s-tongue (Cynoglossum officinale)
  • Jointed Goatgrass (Aegilops cylindrica)
  • Knapweed, Diffuse (Centaurea diffusa)
  • Knapweed, Spotted (Centaurea stoebe)
  • Knotweed, Bohemian (Fallopia x bohemica)
  • Knotweed, Giant (Fallopia sachalinensis)
  • Knotweed, Himalayan (Polygonum polystachyum)
  • Knotweed, Japanese (Fallopia japonica)
  • Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula)
  • Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
  • North Africa Grass (Ventenata dubia)
  • Nutsedge, Purple (Cyperus rotundus)
  • Nutsedge, Yellow (Cyperus esculentus)
  • Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
  • Rush Skeletonweed (Chondrilla juncea)
  • Scentless Chamomile (Matricaria maritima)
  • Sow-thistle, Annual (Sonchus oleraceus)
  • Sow-thistle, Perennial (Sonchus arvensis)
  • Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
  • Toadflax, Common / Yellow (Linaria vulgaris)
  • Toadflax, Dalmatian (Linaria genistifolia)
  • Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)
  • Wild Oats (Avena fatua)
  • Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
  • Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis)

A full list with an ID guide can be found here.

Community Charter

The Community Charter gives the power to a council (such as a local government) to create bylaws and govern the growth of weeds on private property.

Current Weed Bylaws

Bylaw No. 2347 requires all property owners to ensure their property is clear of the following noxious weed species:

  • Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum Salicaria)
  • Japanese Knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum)
  • Yellow Flag Iris (Iris pseudacorus)
  • Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea biersteinii)
  • English Ivy (Hedera helix)
  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  • Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
  • Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
  • Dalmatian Toadflax (Linaria dalmatica)
  • Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus discolor)

Bylaw No. 870 requires all property owners to keep their property free of untended growth and noxious weeds. Noxious weeds are defined as those under the Weed Act.

Under Bylaw No. 2804, all property owners are required to keep their property free of noxious weeds, wild grass and other untended growth and prevent the establishment of noxious or destructive insects. Noxious weeds are defined as those under the Weed Act and Purple Loosetrife (lythrum salicaria).

Bylaw No. 3966 requires all property owners to keep it clear of Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum).

Under Bylaw No.  property owners can not allow the following weeds, along with those listed under the Weed Act, to grow on their property.

  • Blessed Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum)
  • Butterfly Bush (Buddleja)
  • Carpet Burweed (Soliva sessilis)
  • Dandelion (Taraxacum) Daphne/Spurge Laurel (Daphne laureola)
  • Kudzu (Pueraria montana var. lobate)
  • Poison Hemlock (conium maculatum)
  • Russian Knapweed (Centaurea repens L.)
  • Scotch Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
  • Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium)
  • Sow thistle perennial (Sonchus arvensis)
  • Spartina (Spartium junceum)
  • Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)

Bylaw No. 3804 allows for the enforcement of the Weeds Act and requires property owners to prevent an overgrowth of weeds.

Noxious weeds include: 

  • Blueweed (Echium vulgare)
  • Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  • Gorse (Ulex Europaeus)
  • Knotweeds (Fallopia spp. and Polygonum spp.)
  • Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
  • Wild Chervil (Anthriscus sylvestris)

Bylaw No. 1970 prevents property owners from growing plants that are likely to spread to their neighbors, or plants that are unkempt to the point of unsightliness.

Under Bylaw No. 1050-2021, property owners must keep their property free from the following noxious weeds:

  • Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense (1) Scop.)
  • Dodder (Cuscuta spp.)
  • Knapweed spp.- Diffuse (Centaurea diffusa Lam.) Spotted (Centaurea maculosa L.) Russian (Centaurea repens L.)
  • Sow thistle, annual and perennial (Sonchus spp.)
  • Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula L.)
  • Toadflax spp. – Common (linaria vulgaris Hill) Dalmation (Ilnaria dalmtica L.)
  • Wild Oats (Avena fatua L.)
  • Tansy Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea L.)
  • Broom (Cytisus scoparius)
  • Any other Plant commonly known as a weed

Under Bylaw No. 7242, property owners are required to remove the following noxious weeds:

  • Himalayan Blackberries
  • English Ivy
  • Canada Thistle
  • Giant Hogweed
  • Knotweed
  • Scotch Broom

Under Bylaw No. 200, property owners are required to prevent the growth of noxious weeds and prevent the accumulation of weeds, noxious weeds, and brush.

Noxious weeds include those under the Weed Control Regulation.

Under Bylaw No. 1383, property owners cannot allow the growth of noxious weeds.

Noxious weeds include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Broom
  • Himalayan Balsam
  • Carpet Burweed
  • Wild Chervil
  • Daphne
  • Dodder
  • Gorse
  • Orange Hawkweed
  • Introduced Yellow Hawkweed
  • Giant Hogweed
  • Horsetail
  • Knapweed
  • Japanese Knotweed
  • Leafy Spurge
  • Garlic Mustard
  • Perennial Pepperweed
  • Poison Ivy
  • Purple Loosestrife
  • Ragwort
  • Scotch Broom
  • Thistle [Canada and Sow]
  • Toadflax [Yellow and Dalmatian]
  • Any plant on Schedule A, Part 1 – Provincial Weeds list under the Weed Control Regulation BC Reg. 66/85

Bylaw No. 722 requires property owners to prevent the growth of noxious weeds on their property.

Noxious weeds are defined as those under the Weed Control Act and Scotch Broom.

Bylaw No. 666, 2008, requires property owners from becoming unsightly. This includes excessive growth of weeds and noxious weeds.

Noxious weeds are defined as those covered under the Weed Act.

Bylaw No. 614 regulated the growth of weeds on properties. Weeds include those under the Weed Act,  and any plant with weed-like qualities that could spread to neighbouring properties.

Bylaw No. 457, 2012 requires property owners to clear their property of noxious weeds when given notice by a bylaw officer.

Noxious weeds are defined as those under the Weed Act.

Bylaw No. 969, 2004 requires property owners to prevent the growth and spread of noxious weeds and noxious or destructive insects.

Noxious weeds are designated as those found under the Weed Act.

Bylaw No. 780 requires property owners to clear their property of noxious weeds. 

Noxious weeds are defined as those under the Weed Act.

Bylaw No. 522, 2012 does not allow the growth of noxious weeds on properties. 

Noxious weeds are defined as those of the Weed Act.

Bylaw No. 6429 does not allow the growth or accumulation of noxious weeds on properties. 

Noxious weeds include the following species:

  • Giant Hogweed (Heracleum mantegazzianum)
  • Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica)
  • Bohemian Knotweed (Fallopia x bohemica)
  • Giant Knotweed (Fallopia sachalinensis)
  • Himalayan Knotweed (Polygonum polystachyum)

If you live in a community or regional district without a bylaw, we encourage you to contact your local government to consider one.