The Noxious Weed Law affects growing plants. Some plants are noxious because they can harm people, animals, the food we eat, and nature. MDA, county, city, and township officials inspect land and ask owners to control and eradicate noxious weeds that are present in order to keep them from spreading and harming neighboring lands. Land owners that refuse to comply with an official inspectors notice to control noxious weeds are in violation of the Noxious Weed Law and are subject to having the county contract the work to be performed, with all costs being added to their property taxes, or a summons to district court.
Laws & Rules:
Noxious Weeds:
- Forty-eight plant species are regulated as noxious weeds and specially regulated plants in Minnesota
- There are currently 29 species on the prohibited noxious weed list – 16 on the eradicate list and 13 on the control list. These species must be eradicated or controlled on all lands within the state and cannot be illegally transported, propagated or sold except as provided for in Minnesota Statutes, Section 18.82
- Fifteen species are listed as restricted noxious weeds and cannot be sold, propagated or transported except as provided for in Minnesota Statutes, Section 18.82
- Four species are listed as specially regulated plants and eradication or control can be enforced under specific conditions
- Identification of noxious weeds in Minnesota
County, City &Township Officials:
- A County Agricultural Inspector/County Designated Employee must be appointed by law for each of the states’ 87 counties by the board of commissioners. These inspectors also assist the Minnesota Department of Agriculture with laws regarding seeds, feeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and plant pests.
- Local Weed Inspectors are the mayors in the states’ 861 cities and the supervisors on the states’ 1,788 township boards. An assistant weed inspector may be appointed by the city mayor or the township board to act in their behalf as local weed inspectors.
Permit to Transport Noxious Weed Propagating Parts in Infested Material or Equipment:
- This permit is issued by local weed inspectors or county agricultural inspectors.
- Condition of Permit Issuance include the prevention of spread during transport of noxious weed propagating parts in material or equipment and the control or destruction of propagating parts at the destination to prevent spread.
- A permit can be valid for a year or more after the date issued.
- A permit can be revoked if an inspector determines noncompliance by permit holder.
- A permit is not required if a person is transporting noxious weeds in the most direct manner to an approved disposal site and the load is protected in a manner that prevents the spread of noxious weed propagating parts during transport.
Permit to Transport Noxious Weed Infested Material or Equipment (PDF: 163 KB / 1 page)
Federal Noxious Weed Program and Lists
- Federal Noxious Weeds are regulated by the federal government. Minnesota law requires that all regulated plant species in the state be reviewed by the Noxious Weed Advisory Committee and the commissioner of agriculture prior to being listed as noxious weeds. This includes federally listed noxious weeds. The MDA supports and cooperates with efforts to control and eradicate federal noxious weeds; however, regulation of these species is conducted by USDA/APHIS . For more information about the federal noxious weed program and to obtain the most current list, please contact USDA/APHIS.
