Collecting or moving noxious weeds within Florida or importing them for research from any other state or country requires a permit. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) reviews these applications to ensure that the procedures used to collect and transport noxious weeds include suitable safeguards to protect Florida's native and commercially grown plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Why is a permit required?
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.
How do I find out which species require a permit?
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.
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.
Who needs a permit?
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.
Are there special rules for noxious weeds that are aquatic (also called prohibited aquatic plants)?
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.
How do I apply for a permit?
To apply for a permit to collect regulated weed species, complete the Application to Move Organisms Regulated by the State of Florida [ Adobe PDF Document ]. 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.
Are there any suggestions for completing the permit application and for preventing the accidental release and spread of regulated plants?
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Are vouchers needed with an application for a permit to collect noxious weed species?
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.
Are there any other requirements?
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.
