<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<unit kind="division" number="7A" name="Regulation of Invasive Bamboo" slug="division-7a" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_13HOPRST_DIV7AREINBA">
  <section number="13-246.03" name="Definitions" law="code" slug="sec-13-246.03" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_13HOPRST_DIV7AREINBA_S13-246.03DE">
    <level label="a">
      <text>For the purposes of this Division, the following words and phrase shall have the following meanings indicated:</text>
      <level label="1">
        <text>Bamboo means a perennial evergreen that belongs to the true grass family Poaceae, subfamily Bambusoideae; tribe Bambuseae.</text>
      </level>
      <level label="2">
        <text>Invasive Bamboo means bamboo that is characterized by aggressive spreading behavior, including bamboo species in the Genus Phyllostachys aureosulcata (yellow groove bamboo); otherwise known as running bamboo, Pleioblastus, Pseudosasa, and Bambusa.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section number="13-246.04" name="Regulation" law="code" slug="sec-13-246.04" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_13HOPRST_DIV7AREINBA_S13-246.04RE">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In Prince George's County Council, no person may:</text>
      <level label="a">
        <text>sell invasive bamboo;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="b">
        <text>plant invasive bamboo; or</text>
      </level>
      <level label="c">
        <text>allow invasive bamboo to spread to any adjoining property without proper upkeep and appropriate containment measures, including barriers or trenches.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </section>
  <section number="13-246.05" name="Enforcement" law="code" slug="sec-13-246.05" node_id="PTIITI17PULOLAPRGECOMA_SUBTITLE_13HOPRST_DIV7AREINBA_S13-246.05EN">
    <level label="a">
      <text>A person aggrieved by an alleged violation of this Division may file a written complaint (including in electronic format) with the County.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="b">
      <text>If the County issues a notice of violation to a property owner for growing bamboo in violation of 13-246.04, the property owner shall commence appropriate containment measures within six (6) months and shall complete the containment measures within twenty-four (24) months. Upon demonstration of appropriate containment measures or removal, the property owner may request a one-time six (6) month extension for completion.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="c">
      <text>Any individual(s) or property owner found in violation of this Division shall be subject to a civil fine of $500.00 for the first violation and $1,000 for each subsequent violation.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="d">
      <text>An individual(s) or property owner found in violation of this Division shall be required to mitigate any damage caused by invasive bamboo on their property that spreads to an adjoining property. Mitigation shall include, but not limited to, the cost of any running bamboo that grows beyond the boundaries of an individual's property.</text>
    </level>
  </section>
</unit>
