Noxious Weeds
"Noxious weeds" are a set of prohibited plants as defined by Madison General Ordinance 23.29.
This webpage is about this very specific set of weeds defined in the City of Madison ordinance.
Noxious weeds must be destroyed in a manner that will prevent the plants from maturing to the bloom or flower stage.
Destroy Noxious Weeds
You may pull, mow, or otherwise remove them. Certain invasive species can be bagged and placed into the trash if it is regulated by the Wisconsin DNR.
If you elect to use herbicides, please choose ones that are pollinator-safe and use them as directed on the label.
What about Invasive Species?
There are also many, many possible invasive species out there - far more than what is listed specifically as noxious weeds by the City of Madison ordinance.
You should follow the Wisconsin DNR disposal advice on invasive plants.
Neighbor Has Noxious Weeds?
Use the report-a-problem system to send in a report.
Building Inspection will investigate the situation and take the next appropriate steps.
List of Noxious Weeds, per MGO 23.29
- Poison Ivy (Rhus toxicodendron and Toxicodendron radicans (sometimes called Radicans toxicodendron) and Rhus radicans)
- Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
- Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula L.)
- Giant Hogweed (Heraclelum mantegazzianum Sommier & Levier)
- Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa L.)
- Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop.)
- Plumeless Thistle (AKA Spiny Plumeless Thistle) (Carduus acanthoides L.)
- Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans)
- European Marsh Thistle (Cirsium palustre)
- Common Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L.)
- Cutleaf Teasel (Dipsacus laciniatus)
- Non-native Purple Loosestrife and its hybrids (Lythrum salicaria)
- Japanese Knotweed (AKA Japanese bamboo, Mexican bamboo, Japanese fleece flower, crimson beauty, Reynoutria, Hancock's curse) (Polygonum cuspidatum or Fallopia japonica)
- Ditch Reed (AKA Common Reed Grass, Giant Reed) (Phragmites australis)