Noxious Weed Permit

It’s the law. It is unlawful to introduce, multiply, possess, move or release any noxious weed or invasive plant regulated by FDACS or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) except under permit issued by the FDACS or USDA with concurrence by FDACS.

Permits may be granted when FDACS has determined that the noxious weed or invasive plant will not escape into the environment and that it will not pose a threat to agriculture, beneficial organisms or the environment and will not become a public nuisance.

Check the regulated plant lists to see if the plant you want to collect for research or education is regulated by the state of Florida or the federal government. If the species are on the state or federal list, you will need a permit.

• Florida Noxious Weed and Invasive Species List
• Florida Prohibited Aquatic Plant Species List

Note: Federal noxious weeds require a federal permit for transport across state lines. If you need to import federally regulated plant species from other states or from outside the country, see the USDA website.

Anyone who imports noxious weeds into Florida from any other state or country, or who moves these weeds within the state for any purpose needs a permit. If the noxious weed species arrived at your property by biological, hydrological or other natural means, and you do not intend to sell or spread the species, you do not need a permit.

Yes. Permits for transportation, non-nursery cultivation, collection, or possession of any prohibited aquatic plants may only be issued to government agencies, research institutions and wastewater treatment facilities. Except for research purposes conducted under an approved permit, no plant on the prohibited plant list may be imported into the state. Nurseries can propagate a restricted list of prohibited aquatic plant species for export. Information for aquatic plant nurseries is available on the Aquatic Plant Permit page.

To apply for a permit to collect regulated weed species, complete the Application to Move Organisms Regulated by the State of Florida[ ]. On the application you will be asked to explain where the plant material will come from, how the material will be transported safely, how the plants will be prevented from escaping while you possess them, and how any remaining plant material will be disposed of after the project ends. Send the application to the address on the form.

Yes. See  Sample and Instructions for Filling Out FDACS-08208, Application and Permit to Move Organism Regulated by the State of Florida [ 1.1 MB ] .

No, not with the initial permit application. Vouchers of noxious weeds should be sent only on request. If a voucher specimen is needed, instructions for safe handling of noxious weeds sent as vouchers will be provided to the applicant.

Collecting plants on property that is not your own always requires the landowner’s permission or the permission of the administrator responsible for public lands.