Lynbrook, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 185 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 185-7.1
Bamboo
Operative Text
A. Purpose and intent. (1) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to promote and protect the property, property values and welfare of the residents of the Village, and to protect the property and preserve the aesthetic qualities of the environment of the Village. (2) Intent. It is the finding of the Board of Trustees that the planting and/or the growing of bamboo, a plant not indigenous to the Long Island region, has the capability to be destructive of the natural environment, including Lynbrook's indigenous flora and of property of both the Village and adjacent residences to the site of bamboo growth. The Board also finds that the effects of the planting and growing of bamboo will threaten the value and physical integrity of both public and private property in the Village and that, therefore, in order to protect and preserve said environment and said values, it is necessary to regulate and prohibit the planting and/or growing of bamboo within the Village. B. General provisions. (1) Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated: BAMBOO For purposes of this chapter, the term "bamboo" shall mean running bamboo or invasive bamboo which, by its nature, has a leptomorph rhizome (root) system which spreads perpendicular to the parent plant. This definition also includes and relates to any type of "invasive plant" listed in the United States Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Library. BAMBOO PROPERTY OWNER A property owner in the Village who has planted or grown or permitted the growth of bamboo plants on such owner's property. (2) Presumptive evidence of bamboo growth. A finding of bamboo growing upon an owner's property shall constitute presumptive evidence that the growing of bamboo on such property shall have occurred with the consent of the owner. This presumption may be rebutted if the owner can provide satisfactory proof to the Superintendent of the Department of Buildings that the bamboo encroached from an adjacent property and that initial steps for the removal thereof have been undertaken. (3) Prohibition. The planting or growing of bamboo is prohibited within the Village. A violation of this section shall be deemed a violation subject to the penalties set forth in § 185-7.1C herein. (4) Removal. (a) The Superintendent of the Department of Buildings shall, upon a finding of bamboo growing upon an owner's property, serve notice upon the property owner that said bamboo must be removed within 30 days and that a failure to remove such bamboo will result in the removal thereof by the Village with the costs and expenses related thereto assessed against the property and collected in the manner real property taxes. Said notice shall be given i) by certified mail, return receipt requested, ii) regular first-class mail sent to said owner's last known address, and iii) by posting on the property owner's premises. (b) The property owner may appeal within seven days of said notice to the Village Board. The sole issue to be raised for consideration will be whether or not bamboo or its roots exist upon the said property or that removal work has been instituted as shown by documentary evidence. The Village Board may give permission, in its sole discretion, for said owner to raise other issues in the interest of justice. (c) In the event that the Village is compelled to undertake the removal of the bamboo as aforesaid, the Village shall incur no liability for damages to the property or other flora of the property owner by reason of removal process. The costs of such removal shall be assessed against the property and collected as property taxes. C. Violations and penalties. (1) Violations. A violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a violation. Each day after service of a notice of violation and order of removal shall constitute a separate violation. (2) Penalties. (a) A violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed $500 for each violation. (b) Should the Village be prevented from entering upon the property owner's land to remove said bamboo after notice, the Village may proceed with a civil action in the Nassau County Supreme Court for injunction and related relief. The property owner shall be liable for all court fees and attorney's fees related thereto.
Section 185-7.1 of Lynbrook's Code of Ordinances prohibits the planting or growing of running or invasive bamboo anywhere within the Village, reflecting the Board of Trustees' determination that such plants threaten indigenous flora, property values, and the physical integrity of both public and private land. When bamboo is found on a property, the owner is presumed to have consented to its presence unless they can demonstrate to the Superintendent of the Department of Buildings that it encroached from a neighboring property and that removal steps have already begun. Owners who fail to remove bamboo after receiving notice face fines of up to $500 per day of continued violation, and the Village may remove the bamboo itself and charge the costs against the property like a tax lien.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 185-7.1, property owners in Lynbrook are expected to ensure that no running or invasive bamboo—including any plant listed as invasive by the USDA National Agricultural Library—is present or allowed to grow on their land. Compliant operators typically conduct periodic inspections of their property lines, particularly where neighboring properties may have bamboo, and act promptly if any encroachment is detected, since the ordinance presumes that bamboo found on a property grew there with the owner's consent. If the Superintendent of the Department of Buildings issues a notice of violation, owners have 30 days to complete removal and a seven-day window to appeal to the Village Board on the narrow question of whether bamboo or its roots actually exist on the property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 185-7.1 applies primarily to property owners rather than renters, but tenants who observe bamboo growing on their rental property may have an interest in understanding that the Village can issue notices of violation and assess removal costs against the property itself. If a tenant believes bamboo on their rental property is creating a code-compliance issue, they may consider documenting the condition and bringing it to the attention of the property owner or the Superintendent of the Department of Buildings. Tenant-rights organizations familiar with Lynbrook or Nassau County housing regulations can help clarify how this ordinance may interact with a tenant's rights or lease obligations.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation