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1. Why does Spokane County have a Noxious Weed Control Board and what does it do?

A state law passed in 1969 mandated that all counties in Washington have a program to combat noxious weeds. The Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board was established in 1970 and consists of five citizen volunteers who represent five districts that cover the entire county. The Boards meets monthly and provides vision and direction to the weed control program.

Spokane County's Noxious Weed Control Program focuses on education, notification, technical assistance and control of noxious weeds through voluntary compliance and enforcement. During the months of April through August, when the weeds are actively growing, the Weed Board employs a field staff with natural resource, horticulture and agriculture backgrounds to survey public and privately owned lands for noxious weeds and to work with landowners to achieve weed control.

Approximately 25% of the inspections come from citizens who report noxious weed locations to our office, the remainder are inspections made by the field staff as they travel the county.

2. How is Weed Control Enforced?

When an infestation is identified, the landowner is notified in writing and given a variety of options on how to control the weeds. Including hand pulling, mowing or cutting; advice on pasture management and on the most effective and least harmful methods of applying herbicides.

Landowners control the majority of weed infestations voluntarily. The Weed Board controls approximately 2% of the known infestations.

3. How is the Program Funded?

When Washington State passed the law mandating the control of noxious weeds, it gave counties only 2 ways to fund the work. They could compete for general fund money, or they could put a special, dedicated fee on property. In 1984, after years of competing for decreasing funds through the County's general fund, the Weed Board received approval from the County Commissioners to put a small assessment on parcels in Spokane County. It is not a tax, it is a regulatory fee for a service that is available to all landowners and it cannot be imposed selectively.

Everyone benefits when noxious weeds are controlled. Prevention of new infestations is a top priority for the Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board.

4. Noxious Weed List

The Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board adopts a Noxious Weed List each year. The list categorizes weeds into four classes, Class A, Class B Designates, Class B and Class C, according to the seriousness of the threat they pose to the County. In addition to these classes, Spokane County has established a Weeds of Concern list.

5. What do I do if my neighbor has weeds and isn't doing anything about them?

Submit an 

Investigation Request.

6. I have some weeds growing on my property and I am not sure if they are noxious or not, can someone come look at them and tell me what they are and how to get rid of them?

One of our inspectors can meet with you on your property and help you identify the weeds and offer control recommendations. To request an inspection of your property, just call our office at 509-477-5777 for the form, download the form from this website, or submit an Investigation Request online.

7. Is the Noxious Weed Board the agency that controls weeds on the County's right-of-way?

No. The County Engineer's Road Department is responsible for controlling weeds that grow along the County's road right-of-ways. Contact the County Engineers at 509-477-3600 for questions or concerns regarding weeds on the right-of-ways or on County owned property.

8. Why do I have a weed charge on my tax statement?

It is the source of funding for the Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board, it allows us to carry out the mandates of RCW 17.10 and WAC 16-750.

9. What should I spray my weeds with?

It will depend on what noxious weeds you have, their stage of growth and other site-specific variables. Remember to always follow the label directions when applying herbicides. Please contact our office for more information on herbicides, or refer to the information provided on this website under Noxious Weed Control Recommendations.

10. Why are noxious weeds considered a material defect to my property?

Just like a leaky roof or poor foundation, noxious weeds are a detriment to the value of the property and will take time and money to get under control.

11. How do I get a Pesticide License?

Contact the local WA Department of Agriculture at 509-533-2690.

12. Do grazing animals and wildlife eat noxious weeds?

This depends on the animal and the type of weed. Rarely do animals prefer to eat noxious weeds. Most often on pastures infested with weeds, the animals will graze the desirable vegetation, causing an increase in the problem weeds.

Elk prefer native forbs and grasses and will starve to death on ranges infested with Spotted knapweed and Leafy spurge. Doves readily eat and distribute Leafy spurge seeds. Leafy spurge can be grazed by sheep, but is toxic to cattle and horses can eat Musk thistle blooms, while Russian knapweed is toxic to them.

13. Will mowing alone control my noxious weeds?

Generally you will find that this form of control will not work all summer because the plants will start to bloom lower than your mower blade. Mowing is one important method in stopping seed production, but should be used along with other control measures to stop the spread of noxious weeds. For example, mowing is not entirely effective on Spotted knapweed or Leafy spurge, but a diligent 3 year mowing program on Canada thistle may achieve around 90% control if mowed at the early bud stage of growth (several times during the growing season) followed by a fall application of herbicides. This will increase the control efforts and help to cause the thistle to collapse.

14. I'm not going to worry about my weeds and let nature takes it course and leave my land "natural"; is this acceptable?

This is an open invitation for noxious weeds to come into an area. If land is not managed correctly, then the most aggressive, non-native plants that are established nearby may take over an area, choking out native grasses and forbs. The knapweed infestation in Montana is contributing to the death of over 200 elk per year and several cattle ranches have been abandoned due to the overwhelming invasion of Leafy spurge and knapweed.

It is important to keep in mind that biological control is a slow process and will not eradicate noxious weeds. However, they do have their place in an integrated pest management plan. When used in conjunction with mechanical, cultural and/or chemical control methods, bio’s can improve the overall control efforts. The use of bio’s alone does not comply with the Spokane County Noxious Weed Control Board’s Policy or the WA State Noxious Weed Law.

15. I don't want to spray my weeds because herbicides are very toxic and will remain in the soil where they are sprayed; is this acceptable?

Most herbicides are considered low or moderately toxic. All chemicals have a half-life in the environment. Half-life is defined as the amount of time it takes to biodegrade one half of the original amount. Herbicides are broken down by sunlight and microbial activity in the soil.