Glen Cove Passes Bamboo Ban

Glen Cove City Council members voted 6-1 Tuesday to ban the planting of bamboo and make property owners responsible for removing the plant if it spreads from their land, according to Newsday.

The City follows suit with several other Long Island municipalities, such as the Town of Huntington, who have recently banned the fast-growing plant. The State is currently looking to add some species of bamboo to its invasive species list, making them illegal to buy, sell or import.

Under the new law, residents who violate the new law may face daily fines of between $250 to $1,000, with an up to $2,000 fine for second offense. Republican Councilman Anthony Gallo, Jr. took issue with the high fines, said Newsday, and voted against the legislation.

Residents who grow bamboo on their property prior to the enactment of the law will be exempted as long as the growth is contained to their property. They will be responsible for containing its spread by installing an impenetrable underground barrier such as a metal sheathing.

Once the law is enacted, a resident will be held accountable for "allowing bamboo to grow" on their property, even if it crept in from next door.

A resident who discovers bamboo has spread to their property from a neighboring property must alert the originating property owner who would then be responsible for its removal.

If it isn't proven to code enforcement officers that the neighbor has been alerted in a timely manner from the time the bamboo was discovered, however, the resident would be held responsible for its removal or be subject to the same penalties.

The law will be enacted once approved by the State. You can read it in its entirety on the City of Glen Cove website here.