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Spotted Lanternfly Permit FAQ

The Spotted Lanternfly permits are designed to raise awareness for businesses working in the quarantine area and to allow continued safe trade for companies. We need your help to help us contain this invasive species, but how can you help?

What is the quarantine zone?

The state of Pennsylvania has a Spotted Lanternfly quarantine zone of Berks, Carbon, Chester, Dauphin, Delaware, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Philadelphia, and Schuylkill counties.

Not sure if you’re in the quarantine? Use our interactive map!

What can those inside the quarantine zone do?.

Businesses and organizations conducting business in the quarantine zone should obtain a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to move vehicles, equipment, and goods within and out of the zone.

How do I know if my company needs a permit?

If you are unsure if your business or organization is required to carry permits you can read Penn State Extension’s article about requirements for obtaining a permit.

How can I obtain a permit?

The permit training and testing resources are available through Penn State Cooperative Extension: https://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly-permit-training.

There are three sections in the course, with a quiz at the end of each sections. A score of 70 percent or greater is required to pass the exam.

Should all business employees take the exam?

No. The exam is a “train-the-trainer” course to train designated employees, usually an owner, manager, or supervisor within the company on how to comply with the quarantine regulations. The person taking the exam is responsible for entering the number of permits needed for each of their company vehicles. Once this employee passes the exam, he/she is then responsible for training other employees who are responsible for driving any company vehicle or conveyance, or handling, shipping, packaging or loading any regulated article.

How long does it take to receive a permit?

A paper permit will be issued and mailed to the address listed on the course registration within two to three weeks. The permit can then be copied and distributed to drivers or into the vehicles the permittee is responsible for. In the meantime, you may make copies of your passing certificate to use temporarily.

Why should businesses obtain a Spotted Lanternfly permit?

The permit indicates that the permittee is aware of the Spotted Lanternfly and follows procedures to prevent it from spreading.

What could happen if businesses cross state lines without a permit?

The state of Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia will honor the Pennsylvania Spotted Lanternfly permits issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture to businesses operating in the quarantine. If your business works within the quarantine area and moves products into the state of New York without a permit, you may be issued a notice of rejection by them. If your company receives three notices of rejection, the conveyance may be denied entry into New York.

What are the fines associated with not being in compliance with the required permit?

The Pennsylvania SLF Quarantine Order Article VII lists the following:

– Criminal citation up to $300 per violation.

– Civil penalty up to $20,000 per violation.

– Revocation of permit or compliance agreement if PDA determines the holder has not complied.

What does the quarantine restrict the movement of?

• Any living stage of the Spotted lanternfly, Lycorma delicatula. This includes egg masses, nymphs, and adults.
  • These life stages may be found on various items such as:
    • Brush, debris, bark, or yard waste;
    • Landscaping, remodeling, or construction waste;
    • Logs, stumps, or any tree parts;
    • Firewood of any species;
    • Grapevines for decorative purposes or as nursery stock;
    • Nursery stock;
    • Crated materials; and
    • Outdoor household articles including recreational vehicles, lawn tractors and mowers, mower decks, grills, grill, and furniture covers, tarps, mobile homes, tile, stone, deck boards, mobile fire pits, any associated equipment and trucks or vehicles not stored indoors.

Who should I contact if I have a question regarding Spotted Lanternfly permit?

For permit-specific questions, contact slfpermit@pa.gov. If you wish to schedule a meeting, go to http://extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly.

Lifecycle of a Spotted Lanternfly (image credit: PennState Ext Turf Magazine online, illustrations by Colleen Witkowski)

Note: Businesses which need to comply with the New Jersey quarantine and do not conduct business in PA should take the NJ Permitting Training and Exam not the PSU course. Similarly, businesses which need to comply with the Delaware quarantine and do not conduct business in PA should take the DE Permitting Training and Exam, not the PSU course.

Spotted Lanternfly permits are reciprocal between states.

For more information,  go to the Penn State Extension website – http://Extension.psu.edu/spotted-lanternfly or call the Spotted Lanternfly call center number at 1-888-4BAD-FLY. The call center is open Monday – Friday 8:00 am – 5:00pm Eastern Time.

Thank you for reading: “Everything you Need to Know about Spotted Lanternfly Permits”