Recently the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance to limit the spread of running bamboo, which is considered an invasive plant in Northern Virginia. Running bamboo is the type that spreads quickly through the growth of long, horizontal roots, called rhizomes. These rhizomes allow the plants to easily spread under fences and other external barriers.

The new ordinance does not prohibit the planting of bamboo. However, property owners who fail to take effective measure to prevent the plants from spreading to adjoining properties may be fined. 

The new ordinance goes into effect on January 1, 2023. County staff intends to use the interim period to educate residents about the invasive nature of running bamboo and the various methods to prevent it from spreading — before fines are imposed. 

After January 1, 2023, property owners could face fines of $50 a day for an initial complaint, followed by fines of up to $200 a day for each subsequent case. The County Code compliance staff will be responsible for investigating complaints of uncontained running bamboo against property owners who fail to contain the bamboo on their land within 30 days of receiving notice of the violation. Persons citied for a violation are free to file an appeal to the county executive within 10 days of receiving a notice.

Running bamboo continues to be sold in Virginia but Supervisor James Walkinshaw, who heads the board’s legislative committee, said the County will bring visit that issue with state legislators.

Click here for more information from Fairfax County about the new ordinance on running bamboo.