Invasive weed control bylaw | Regional District of Central Okanagan

The enforcement program for invasive weeds operates between April 1 through to September 30.

Invasive weeds are defined as any plant or tree which has the potential to pose negative or detrimental impacts on humans, animals, or ecosystems. Typically these plants grow and multiply quickly and have been introduced from another region or country.

Bylaws

Noxious Weed Control | Bylaw No. 1544 requires property owners in Electoral Areas East and West, the City of Kelowna, District of Lake Country and District of Peachland to prevent the growth of noxious weeds and tall grasses and to provide for the cutting or destruction of noxious weeds and tall grasses.

The City of West Kelowna enforces their own Noxious Weed bylaw (See West Kelowna bylaw compliance).

General requirements:

Non-invasive weeds and grasses must be kept under 8 inches (20.32 cm) in height.
Invasive weeds and grasses must be cut down and mulched, or otherwise destroyed and removed.
This bylaw's enforcement period is April 1 and September 30.

Report a weed concern

You must provide your name, address and phone number and the civic address of the property that is of concern. Anonymous complaints cannot be accepted. Please submit your complaint online.

Complaints not governed by the RDCO

City of West Kelowna is not governed by the RDCO. More information can be found at Bylaw Compliance or by calling 778-797-8810.

Boulevards, roadsides and obscured visibility site lines
- Call the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (Okanagan Shuswap District) at 250-712-3660
- City of Kelowna Boulevard or Site Line
- District of Lake Country Boulevard or Site Line
- District of Peachland Boulevard or Site Line

Species of concern:

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima)

In March 2024, the Regional Board added Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) to the Noxious Weed Control | Bylaw No. 1544. The spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest that could devastate agriculture, prefers this host, though it has not yet arrived in BC.

The Tree of Heaven is a rapidly growing deciduous plant native to China and Taiwan. It produces by seed and by division and can sprout almost anywhere, tolerant to a wide range of environmental conditions. It is foul-smelling and tends to crowd out other plants.

The Invasive Species Council of BC provides additional information and best management practices in their Tree of Heaven factsheet.

Root for Change contest: Remove Tree of Heaven

Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus altissima) is an invasive species that spreads quickly and pushes out native plants. We’re inviting residents to help restore biodiversity, one yard at a time.

As part of our Root for Change initiative, we are partnering with the City of Kelowna to offer 100 free native Neighbourwoods trees to residents who remove a Tree of Heaven from their property.

How It Works

Identify and remove a Tree of Heaven (Diameter at breast height (DBH) must be 10 cm or greater)
Take a before and after photo showing the removed tree
Submit your entry through our online form
We’ll contact you to choose your Neighbourwoods replacement tree
Pick up your new tree during the Neighbourwoods distribution period

Why Remove Tree of Heaven?

It spreads aggressively
It releases chemicals that prevent other plants from growing
It damages infrastructure with fast-growing roots
It outcompetes native plants that support local wildlife

Eligibility

Must be a resident of the Regional District of Central Okanagan (Kelowna, Lake Country, Peachland, Electoral Area East, or Electoral Area West). Residents of the City of West Kelowna are not eligible, as West Kelowna has its own invasive weed control bylaw.
Tree of Heaven must be located on private property.
DBH must meet or exceed the 10 cm requirement.
One Neighbourwoods tree per household (while supplies last).

Join us in restoring native habitat and helping our community grow healthier, resilient green spaces.

Enter the Root for Change contest Learn more about Neighbourwoods

Weeds of concern

Russian olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia)

Russian olive invades riparian zones, forms dense thickets and displaces native vegetation.

Concern: Invasive tree/shrub, ecosystem impact

Disposal: Woody debris may be composted only after fully drying to eliminate viable seeds; landfill recommended for large branches.

Learn more

Siberian elm (Ulmus pumila)

Siberian elm spreads rapidly in dry habitats and produces large quantities of viable seeds.

Concern: Invasive tree/shrub, ecosystem impact

Disposal: Dry branches and seeds thoroughly before composting, or bring to landfill for safer, seed‑free disposal.

Learn more

Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola)

Prickly lettuce spreads across dry soils, forms dense mats, and produces sharp spines that puncture tires and skin. Toxic to livestock.

Concern: Livestock and hay risk, wildfire risk, hazardous to handle

Disposal: Bag or tarp and dry the plant until fully non‑viable before composting, or dispose at landfill if flowering.

Learn more

Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica)

Japanese knotweed is a highly aggressive invasive introduced as an ornamental, now colonizing riparian areas, roadsidesand gardens.

Concern: Ecosystem impact, hazardous to handle, hard to remove

Disposal: Must be disposed of at a landfill (or incinerated); never compost, green‑bin, mulch or chip this species.

Learn more

Hoary alyssum (Berteroa incana)

Hoary alyssum spreads quickly through seeds dispersed by vehicles, wildlife, and birds, can contaminate hay, and may cause illness in horses. Small white flowers with deeply notched petals.

Concern: Livestock and hay risk, agricultural impact

Disposal: Bag and solarize or fully dry until non-viable before composting, or take to landfill if seed heads are present.

Learn more

Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites)

Myrtle spurge is an aggressive perennial whose roots release chemicals that inhibit surrounding plants and displace native species.

Concern: Hazardous to handle, ecosystem impact

Disposal: Bag carefully (due to toxic sap) and allow material to fully dry before composting, or take to landfill for safer disposal.

Learn more

Scotch thistle (Onopordum acanthium)

Scotch thistle, native to Europe and Asia, produces seeds that can survive for over 30 years and forms dense, impassable stands.

Concern: Wildfire risk, ecosystem impact, hazardous to handle

Disposal: Solarize or thoroughly dry before composting, or bring to landfill if mature seed heads remain.

Learn more

Common bugloss (Anchusa officinalis)

Common bugloss invades disturbed, sunny areas such as roadsides and pastures, reduces forage yields, and contains toxic alkaloids.

Concern: Livestock and hay risk, wildfire risk, agricultural impact

Disposal: Bag and solarize until non‑viable before composting, or take to landfill if seeds have developed.

Learn more

Common burdock (Arctium minus)

Common burdock produces thousands of seeds and burrs that cling to wildlife, livestock and even birds and bats.

Concern: Agricultural impact, ecosystem impact

Disposal: Bag and dry thoroughly before composting, or take to landfill when burrs are present.

Learn more

Yellow salsify (Tragopogon dubius)

Yellow salsify is a grass‑like invasive producing milky sap and large, fluffy seed clusters that disperse easily.

Concern: Ecosystem impact, agricultural impact

Disposal: Compost only after drying the plant thoroughly to eliminate viable seeds, otherwise dispose via landfill.

Learn more

Baby’s breath (Gypsophila paniculata)

Baby’s breath reduces native grasses and forage and produces large quantities of wind‑dispersed seeds; often found in floral waste.

Concern: Ecosystem impact, wildfire risk

Disposal: Dry fully before composting and avoid placing floral waste in compost; landfill is recommended if seeds are present.

Learn more

Knapweed (Centaurea spp. — diffuse/spotted)

Knapweed displaces native vegetation and reduces rangeland quality, with some species toxic to livestock.

Concern: Ecosystem impact, agricultural impact

Disposal: Bag and solarize or dry thoroughly before composting, or take to landfill if seed heads remain intact.

Learn more

Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum)

Cheatgrass alters wildfire regimes with dense dry growth, injures animals with sharp awns, and outcompetes native grasses.

Concern: Livestock and hay risk, wildfire risk, ecosystem impact

Disposal: Due to easily spreadable seeds, dry completely before composting or take directly to landfill if unsure.

Learn more

Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

Teasel is a biennial plant that grows in sunny, disturbed areas like fields and roadsides and can form thick patches by spreading large amounts of seed.

Concern: Ecosystem impact, agricultural impact

Disposal: Compost only if the plant has been dried or solarized until fully dead; if seed heads are present or you’re unsure, take it to the landfill.

Learn more