Long Branch's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Long Branch, 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 Removal & Heritage Trees

Long Branch requires a Tree Removal Application before cutting down any street tree 2.5 inches DBH or larger, or any other tree 6 inches DBH or larger, under Code § 319-12, adopted in 2024. Removed trees generally must be replaced on a sliding scale tied to trunk size, or a fee paid instead.

Key details: Street tree threshold: 2.5 inches DBH. Non-street tree threshold: 6 inches DBH. Application fee: $25 per removal. Alternative fee: $100/tree if no replanting space. Fine: $100-$1,000 per tree.

Anyone who removes or otherwise destroys a regulated tree without approval faces a fine of $100 up to $1,000 per tree under § 319-15, and must also replace each unlawfully removed tree with one of like or superior species at their own expense, on top of the fine. The Long Branch Police Department enforces Article II during its normal duties (§ 319-14).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Long Branch actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Native Plants

In the West End Design Overlay (WEDO) District, Long Branch requires landscape plans for infill development to primarily specify indigenous, native plant species. The requirement, § 345-32.1I(2), ties native planting to spatial definition, buffering, habitat and safety goals reviewed by the Planning Board.

Key details: District: West End Design Overlay (WEDO). Purpose served: Spatial definition, shade, habitat, buffering. Species rule: Indigenous/native primarily specified. Approval body: Planning Board approved landscape plan. Companion rule: Invasive exotic species avoided.

A landscape plan that does not primarily specify native species can be rejected or conditioned at Planning Board review, and once approved and installed, Chapter 345's general enforcement provision, § 345-79, applies: the Zoning Officer or Construction Code Official may order noncompliant landscaping remedied, with conviction penalties under § 1-16 of up to $2,000, up to 90 days' imprisonment or up to 90 days of community service, each day a separate offense.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Long Branch gives residents more flexibility on native plants.

Rainwater Harvesting

Long Branch's West End Design Overlay (WEDO) District landscape standard calls for passive rainwater harvesting, cisterns, rain barrels or water gardens, in landscaped spaces of infill projects, paired with moisture-sensing, nonpotable irrigation or drought-tolerant plantings.

Key details: District: West End Design Overlay (WEDO). Systems favored: Cisterns, rain barrels, water gardens. Purpose: Collect rainwater for irrigation or recharge. Standard: "To the extent feasible". Irrigation rule: Soil moisture sensing, nonpotable water.

A landscape plan lacking a feasible rainwater-capture element or using potable, non-moisture-sensing irrigation can be conditioned or rejected at Planning Board site plan review. Once approved improvements are installed, Chapter 345's general enforcement clause, § 345-79, lets the Zoning Officer or Construction Code Official order deficiencies corrected, with § 1-16 penalties of up to $2,000, up to 90 days' imprisonment or up to 90 days of community service for a conviction.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Long Branch gives residents more flexibility on rainwater harvesting.

Weed Ordinances

Long Branch requires every property owner or tenant to keep grass cut to no more than 12 inches, on any property in the city, improved or vacant. The city also adopts New Jersey's statewide Weed Control Code of 1953 to abate ragweed and poison ivy as public nuisances.

Key details: Max grass height: 12 inches, any property. State code adopted: Weed Control Code of NJ (1953). Nuisance plants named: Ragweed, poison ivy. Enforcing officials: Police, Construction/Health/Plumbing officers. Code on file at: Office of the City Clerk.

Grass and weed violations follow the same notice-and-abatement path as the rest of Chapter 125: a 10-day written notice to cure under § 125-2, followed by city abatement and a tax lien under § 125-3 if the owner does not act within five days of that notice, plus penalties under Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article I, for the underlying violation itself.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Long Branch gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 2 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.

Keep in mind that Long Branch can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.