Landscaping Rules in Bergenfield, NJ (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Bergenfield, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Bergenfield property owners and tenants must keep tree branches, hedges and other plant life along a public sidewalk trimmed to at least 14 feet six inches above ground level under Code § 291-4. The Police Department or Mayor and Council can also order shrubs cut back near intersections for sightline safety.
Bergenfield Sidewalk Tree Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsBergenfield Borough Code § 291-4
Whenever and wherever it shall be deemed necessary or expedient for the preservation of public safety, the owner or tenant or any lands within the Borough shall, upon notification by the Police Department or the Mayor and Council or their agents, be required to cut back to a height of not more than 2 1/2 feet, or to remove the same, any and all shrubs, bushes, hedges or other plant life growing...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Bergenfield, cutting, removing, trimming or otherwise disturbing any tree or shrub standing on a public street, sidewalk strip, park or other Borough-owned property requires a written permit from the Shade Tree Committee under Code § 291-1. The rule reaches only publicly sited trees; it does not require a permit to remove a tree growing entirely on private, residential land.
Bergenfield Shade Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsBergenfield Borough Code §§ 291-1, 291-6
No person shall do, or cause to be done, any of the following acts upon a public highway, public right-of-way, public park or other public place within the Borough, without the prior written permit of the Shade Tree Committee: ... Cut, trim, break, climb with spikes, disturb the roots of, or otherwise injure, or spray with any injurious chemical, or remove any living tree or shrub, or any part ...
Weed Ordinances
Bergenfield's Property Maintenance Code caps weeds and plant growth at eight inches on every maintained lot. Section 302.4 of the adopted 2015 International Property Maintenance Code requires 'premises and exterior property' to stay free of weeds or plant growth taller than that, backed by a fine of up to $1,500 for owners who ignore a correction notice.
Bergenfield Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsBergenfield Borough Code § 232-13 (adopting 2015 IPMC § 302.4)
The 2015 International Property Maintenance Code is hereby adopted by the municipality in its entirety and shall be supplemented as follows: ... Section 302.4 Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of eight inches.
Water Restrictions
Bergenfield's water conservation ordinance sets a permanent odd/even hand-held-hose watering schedule for a declared Stage I emergency and bans irrigation entirely in Stage II. Violations during a declared emergency carry a fine of up to $2,000 per block and lot, enforced by the Borough Code Enforcement Officer.
Bergenfield Watering-Day Emergency Rules
Some RestrictionsBergenfield Borough Code §§ 306-5, 306-6
§ 306-5. Violations and penalties. It shall be unlawful and a violation hereof for any person to use water during the emergency period in violation of this article. Any property owner (or occupant) found to be in violation of the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine up to a maximum of $2,000 per violation, per individual block and lot location. ... § 306-6. Irrigation schedule ...
Rainwater Harvesting
Bergenfield's water conservation ordinance exempts outdoor water drawn from rain harvesting, such as rain barrels, from its emergency irrigation-day restrictions. Gray water or reclaimed water gets the same exception, but only with the Borough Administrator's written approval and, for gray or reclaimed water, an approved state NJPDES discharge permit.
Bergenfield Exempts Rain Barrels From Water Rules
Few RestrictionsBergenfield Borough Code § 306-6C(3)
C. Exceptions to the water restrictions shall be determined by the Borough Administrator. The requests for an exception shall be submitted to the Borough Administrator in writing. Exceptions are subject to renewal annually and may be voided at any time due to an emergency. The exceptions may include the following: ... (3) Outdoor water use from rain harvesting (rain barrels, etc.), gray water, ...
Looking for Bergen County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Bergenfield city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Bergen County →