Lakewood's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Lakewood, New Jersey, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tree Trimming

Lakewood Township requires anyone operating a tree cutting, trimming, spraying or removal business within its borders to hold the applicable certification or license, under Code § 19-15b. Operating without it is treated as a Chapter 19 violation and can draw the chapter's fines.

Key details: Governing section: Township Code § 19-15b. Covered work: Cutting, trimming, spraying, treating trees/shrubs/vines. Requirement: Applicable certification or license for the work. Applies to: Any tree-service business, not just permit holders. Penalty: Up to $2,000 per offense (§ 19-16a).

Engaging in the tree cutting, trimming, removal or spraying business without the applicable license or certification is a violation of Chapter 19 under § 19-15b, carrying the same penalty as unpermitted tree removal: a fine of up to $2,000 per offense under § 19-16a, with each day of continued unlicensed work treated as a separate offense.

Water Restrictions

Lakewood Township only imposes outdoor watering rules once the Mayor declares a water emergency under Code § 16-6.1. Once triggered, hose watering is limited to odd-even days and set morning or evening hours, automatic irrigation systems run overnight only, and SMART-controller systems can register for relief. Violators face a written warning, then Municipal Code fines.

Key details: Trigger: Mayor-declared water emergency (§ 16-6.1). Hose watering days: Odd-even days by street address number. Hose watering hours: 6-9 a.m. or 5-8 p.m.. Irrigation system hours: Midnight to 9:00 a.m. only. SMART controller relief: Registration plus Township yard placard.

A first offense under § 16-6.3, watering during rain, runoff, puddling, leaking equipment, or irrigating on the wrong day or hour, draws a written warning from the local authorized official, who documents it and explains the escalating penalties. Any subsequent violation is punishable under the Municipal Code's general penalty provisions incorporated by § 16-6.5, and the official may issue a summons directly for continued noncompliance.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing any tree 10 inches or more in trunk diameter in Lakewood Township requires a tree removal permit from the Inspection Department under Code § 19-3a. Applications cost $10 plus a $25 inspection fee, and illegal removal draws up to a $2,000 fine per tree.

Key details: Trigger diameter: 10 inches DBH or greater. Permitting office: Lakewood Inspection Department. Application fee: $10 per lot plus $25 inspection. Decision timeline: 20 business days after complete application. Appeal window: 10 days to Township Committee.

Removing a tree without a permit, or violating any condition of an issued permit, is punishable under § 19-16a by a fine of up to $2,000 per offense, in the court's discretion, with each illegally removed tree treated as a separate violation and each additional day of noncompliance a distinct offense. The court may also order restitution equal to the tree's appraised value or replacement of the tree, and the Code Enforcement Officer can issue a stop-work order under § 19-12 until the violation is resolved.

Weed Ordinances

Every owner, tenant, or person in possession of land in Lakewood Township, whether built on or not, must keep it free of brush, weeds, dead trees, and debris that threaten public health, safety, or fire safety, and must clear grass and weeds from the street frontage abutting their land, under § 16-1.2 of the Code.

Key details: Applies to: any lands, owner or tenant. Order to remove: 10 days to comply. Cure before Township acts: 7 days after notice. Right-of-way cure period: 48 hours. Penalty: $250 per violation.

Section 16-1.5a makes every violator of the removal duty subject to a $250 penalty per violation, 30 days of community service, or both, and each day the condition continues is a separate violation. Beyond the fine, the Township can perform the cleanup itself and place a tax lien on the property for the cost, plus interest at the tax rate.

The Bottom Line

Lakewood's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lakewood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Lakewood's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.