Landscaping Rules in Elizabeth, NJ (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Elizabeth, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Elizabeth requires a written permit from the department of public works before anyone cuts, prunes, trims, breaks, climbs or otherwise injures a tree growing in a public street, parking strip or city park. Residents can apply for a pruning permit, but the department only issues one after judging the work necessary and approving the proposed method and workmanship, and every approved job must follow the permit's terms exactly.
Elizabeth Street Tree Trimming Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 12.60.010
It is unlawful for any person without the written permit of the department of public works, to cut, break, climb or injure any tree or portion of tree planted or growing in any public highway within the city, or cause, authorize or procure any person to cut, break, climb or injure any such tree or portion thereof... Any person, desiring for any lawful purpose to cut, prune or trim any tree in a...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Elizabeth requires anyone removing a street tree of 2.5 inches DBH or more, or six or more trees at 6 inches DBH per acre, to replace them under a tiered table or pay $500 per tree into the city's tree fund. Only the city may remove street trees without the right-of-way owner's authorization.
Elizabeth Tree Removal Permit and Replacement Rule
Significant RestrictionsElizabeth City Code §§ 17.45.030(A)(1), 17.45.060
A.Tree Replacement Requirements.1.Only the city or other governmental agency having jurisdiction over the applicable right-of-way shall remove street trees, removal of street trees other persons is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the right-of-way owner. Any person who removes one or more street tree(s) with a DBH of two and one-half (2.5) inches or more, unless exempt under section...
Weed Ordinances
Elizabeth prohibits letting brush, weeds, or obnoxious growths accumulate on any property when it creates a health, safety, or fire hazard under Section 8.72.010. The director of public works can order removal within ten days after a hearing, and if the owner doesn't comply, the city removes it and liens the property for the cost.
Elizabeth's Weeds and Debris Ordinance
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 8.72.010
It is unlawful for any owner, tenant or person to gather, accumulate, keep, dump, or permit the gathering, accumulation or keeping of, brush, weeds, dead and dying trees, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash, debris or any of the articles, on any land or in any place in the city, in the county of Union, in such a manner as to constitute a menace to public health, safety or ge...
Water Restrictions
Elizabeth has no standing lawn-watering schedule; instead, the mayor can declare a water emergency by executive order and then impose either a complete ban on outdoor water use, including lawn watering, pool filling and car washing, or an odd/even house-number watering schedule that goes to a full ban on the 31st of any month, under Section 13.12.020.
Elizabeth Water Emergency Use Restrictions
Some RestrictionsElizabeth City Code § 13.12.020
Upon the mayor adopting an executive order declaring that a water emergency exists in the city in accordance with Section 13.12.010 of this chapter, all citizens shall be urged to observe voluntary indoor conservation measures and, any of the following water use restrictions shall be imposed and shall be applicable to all residents and tenants, except where a bona fide health emergency exists a...
Looking for Union County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Elizabeth city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Union County →