Landscaping Rules in Garfield, NJ: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Garfield or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Garfield has 4 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Grass Height Limits

Garfield's Property Maintenance Code requires that all premises and exterior property be kept free of grass or plant growth exceeding eight inches in height.

Key details: Max grass height: 8 inches. Code chapter: Property Maintenance. Enforcement: Property Maintenance Dept.. Excludes: Trees, shrubs, gardens.

Allowing grass or weeds on any premises to exceed eight inches in height, or refusing to cut after notice from the Property Maintenance Department.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Garfield gives residents more flexibility on grass height limits.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Garfield requires a permit before removing street trees of 2.5-inch DBH or larger, or non-street trees of six-inch DBH or larger, with replacement obligations.

Key details: Street tree threshold: 2.5-inch DBH. Private tree threshold: 6-inch DBH. Permit issuer: Building Department. Base fine: $250 per violation. Significant trees: No fine cap.

Removing a regulated tree without a permit, planting a banned invasive species as a replacement, or failing to provide required replacement trees.

Composting

Garfield's recycling code allows residential grass composting only in an approved location and limits the storage area to ten by ten feet.

Key details: Max compost area: 10 ft by 10 ft. Allowed users: Residential owners only. Approval required: Recycling Coordinator. Code chapter: Chapter 249 Recycling.

Composting grass on non-residential property under this provision, or maintaining a residential compost area larger than ten feet by ten feet, or composting in an unapproved location.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Garfield gives residents more flexibility on composting.

Weed Ordinances

Garfield prohibits noxious weeds and requires premises to remain free of weed growth taller than eight inches under its Property Maintenance Code.

Key details: Noxious weeds: Prohibited at any height. Other weeds: Max 8 inches. Excludes: Trees and shrubs. Authority: Property Maintenance Code.

Permitting noxious weeds on any property, or letting weeds, brush, or vegetation grow taller than eight inches without abatement.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Garfield gives residents more flexibility on weed ordinances.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Garfield gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 of the 4 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Garfield's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.