Landscaping Rules in Clifton, NJ (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Clifton, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Clifton requires plant life growing within 10 feet of any street or within 50 feet of an intersection or rail crossing to be cut to no more than two feet, and the City Engineer can order it trimmed after written notice.
Clifton Roadside Plant Trimming Rule
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 433-8
Any plant life growing within 10 feet of any street or highway or growing within 50 feet of the intersection of any two or more streets or highways or of a railroad grade crossing on lands within the City shall be trimmed or cut to a height of not more than two feet within 10 days after notice from the City Engineer, as hereafter provided in this article.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Clifton requires a permit before cutting down any tree four inches or more in caliper or clearing a site, with fees from $50 to $400+ scaled to how many trees are removed.
Clifton Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsClifton Code § 433-34
No person shall cut down or remove any tree of a caliper of four inches or greater measured at a height of 4 1/2 feet above the ground or engage in any site clearing without a tree removal permit.
Weed Ordinances
Clifton caps brush, weeds and uncut grass at six inches on any lot in the City. Once growth exceeds that height, the City Engineer mails the owner and tenant a 10-day notice to cut or remove it, after which the City can do the work itself and place the cost as a tax lien on the property.
Clifton Maximum Weed and Grass Height
Some RestrictionsClifton Code § 175-4
Wherever brush, weeds, uncut grass and/or obnoxious growths exceed six inches in height, or dead and dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash and debris are not removed, the City Engineer shall cause 10 days' notice to be given to the owner and to the tenant of such land by registered or certified mail to their last known addresses, to cut and/or remove the same at o...
Composting
Clifton hands out free compost, mulch and topsoil to residents at the City Hall Complex whenever supply is available, seven days a week between dawn and dusk. Each resident is capped at one and a half cubic yards per day, and taking more or lacking proof of residency is itself a chapter violation.
Clifton Free Compost, Mulch and Topsoil Pickup
Light RestrictionsClifton Code § 196-2, § 196-3, § 196-4
Compost, mulch and topsoil shall be available at the Clifton City Hall Complex to any Clifton resident at no cost whenever such compost, mulch and topsoil is made available by the City of Clifton. Any Clifton resident wishing to make use of the free compost, mulch and/or topsoil shall be limited to 1 1/2 cubic yards per day. ... Compost, mulch and topsoil, when available, shall be offered to th...
Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Clifton city rules.
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