Landscaping Rules in Long Branch, NJ (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Long Branch, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
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.
Long Branch Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsCity of Long Branch Code § 319-12
Any person planning to remove a street tree, as defined as Tree removal, with DBH of 2.5" or more or any non-street tree with DBH of 6" or more on their property shall submit a Tree Removal Application to the Council of the City of Long Branch or its designee. No tree shall be removed until municipal officials have reviewed and approved the removal. ... Any person who removes one or more street...
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.
Long Branch NJ Grass Height Limit Ordinance
Some RestrictionsCity of Long Branch Code § 125-1C
Grass. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Subsections A and B, it shall be the duty of the owner, tenant or person in possession of any lands in the city to keep all grass cut to a height of not more than 12 inches on any property in the city.
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.
Long Branch WEDO Rainwater Collection Rule
Light RestrictionsCity of Long Branch Code § 345-32.1I(2)(d) and (e)
(d) In landscaped spaces, passive systems such as cisterns or rain barrels and water gardens that collect rainwater for irrigation or recharge shall be utilized to the extent feasible. (e) Only soil moisture-sensing irrigation systems using nonpotable water shall be permitted, except that where irrigation is not used, all plant materials shall be drought-tolerant species.
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.
Long Branch Native Plant Landscaping Rule
Light RestrictionsCity of Long Branch Code § 345-32.1I(2)(b) and (c)
(b) Landscape shall be provided throughout the infill development project to create spatial definition or separation, shade, visual interest, seasonal color, visual buffering, microclimatic enhancement, and habitat and to improve safety. (c) Indigenous (native) plant species shall be primarily specified for planting and invasive exotic species shall be avoided.