Landscaping Rules in Jersey City, NJ (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Jersey City, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Cutting, trimming, pruning, breaking, or sawing any part of a Jersey City tree requires a Division of Forestry permit first -- the chapter does not set a fixed street or sidewalk clearance height, but it does require pruning to follow the ANSI-A300 Tree Care Standards.
Jersey City Tree Pruning Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsJersey City Code § 321-4
A. No person shall do or cause to be done any of the following without a permit from the Division of Forestry: ...5. Cut, trim, prune, break, saw, or disturb any portion of any City tree... 11. Conduct any activity within the Protected Root Zone of a City tree such as construction, demolition, replacement of a sidewalk or driveway, erecting scaffolding, repairing underground utilities or servic...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Jersey City's Chapter 321 bars anyone from damaging, girdling, or cutting a City tree's canopy, requires a Division of Forestry permit for most work near a tree, and backs it with fines of $100 to $2,000 per violation, deposited to a tree replacement fund.
Jersey City Tree Protection Ordinance
Significant RestrictionsJersey City Code § 321-3
No person shall do or cause to be done any of the following to a City tree as defined herein: 1. Hitch or fasten any animal, bicycle or vehicle to any guard or support attached to the City tree; 2. Permit any injurious substance...to come into contact with the trunk or roots of any City tree; 3. Cover or obstruct any open space provided around the base of a City tree...8. Cut or remove any of a...
Weed Ordinances
Jersey City declares ragweed, poison ivy, high weeds and overgrown brush and grass a public nuisance on any lot, building or right-of-way, public or private. Code § 182-30 bars owners, tenants and occupants from letting them grow or exist, and § 182-31 lets the Division of Health order abatement on as little as five days' notice.
Jersey City High Weeds and Grass Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsJersey City Code § 182-30
The infestation of rodents and vermin and the growth or existence of ragweed, poison ivy, high weeds and overgrown brush and grass in or on any building, structure, plot of land, lot, street, highway, right-of-way or any other public or private place is declared to be a nuisance and detrimental to public health. No owner, tenant or occupant of any building, structure, plot of land, lot, street,...
Water Restrictions
When the Mayor declares a water emergency, Jersey City can ban all outside watering of lawns and plants or limit it to odd/even house-number days. The order runs up to 90 days and covers every resident, tenant and non-exempt business citywide.
Jersey City Water Emergency Lawn Watering Ban
Significant RestrictionsJersey City Code § 337-14
A. Whenever the Mayor finds that a water emergency exists in the city, he or she may issue an executive order declaring the existence of a water emergency... The executive order shall be effective immediately upon promulgation by the Mayor and shall continue in effect for 90 days, unless extended or repealed... B. ...any of the following water use restrictions shall be imposed... (1) The comple...