Code Change Under Consideration Aims To Control Spread Of Running Bamboo In Fairfax

FAIRFAX, VA — Fairfax County Board of Supervisor is considering updating the county code by adding restrictions to unconfined running bamboo, which is considered an invasive species.

County Executive Bryan Hill made the recommendation at Tuesday's board meeting to consider changing the code. The supervisors voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing on the matter for Feb. 22.

Virginia Code identified bamboo as an invasive species that typically spreads at an aggressive rate. The code authorizes Fairfax County to pass an ordinance to require property owners to contain the plant on the their land and prevent it from spreading to neighboring properties or any public right-of-way or face civil penalties.

If adopted, the proposed ordinance would be enforced by Fairfax County's Department of Code Compliance, which would investigate complaints of unconfined running bamboo.

Property owners found in violation of the code would be fined up to $50 per business day after failing to comply in a reasonable period of time after receiving notice of the violation.

Fines of $200 per business days would be assessed if the property owner fails to comply with a different set of operative facts within 12 months of receiving the first notice. Total fines would not exceed $3,000 in a 12-month period for each set of operatives facts.