Landscaping Rules in Newark, NJ (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Newark, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Newark requires written permission from the Director of Public Works before anyone trims, cuts, or prunes a tree on a public street, per § 27:1-3 of the Revised General Ordinances. The Director approves the method and workmanship before issuing a permit, and violations carry fines up to $500 or 90 days in jail under § 27:1-15.
Newark Permit Required to Trim Street Trees
Some RestrictionsNewark Revised General Ordinances § 27:1-3
No person shall trim, cut or prune any tree in or on a public street without written permission of the Director of Public Works. If the Director shall determine that the proposed trimming, cutting or pruning is necessary, and the proposed method and workmanship thereof is approved, the Director of Public Works shall issue a written permit for such work to be performed and all work done under su...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing, killing or destroying a tree on a Newark public street, in a city park, or on private property requires a Department of Public Works permit under § 27:1-5, amended August 2, 2023. The Director approves the work and, for private-property removals, sets a required fee before issuing the permit.
Newark Permit to Remove Street or Park Trees
Some RestrictionsNewark Revised General Ordinances § 27:1-5
No person shall remove, kill or destroy or cause, authorize or procure any person to remove, kill or destroy any tree planted or growing in any public street or any tree or plant planted or growing in any City park except as otherwise provided in paragraph b of this section. Any person desiring to remove any tree in a public street may apply to the Department of Public Works. Any person desirin...
Weed Ordinances
Newark does not set a fixed inch limit on grass or weeds. Instead, owners and tenants of land bordering public sidewalks must clear grass, weeds and debris from the abutting sidewalk and gutter within three days after the Department of Engineering serves written notice, or the City removes it and liens the property.
Newark Grass and Weed Removal Notice Rule
Some RestrictionsNewark, NJ Revised General Ordinances § 29:18-2
The owner or tenant of lands abutting or bordering upon the public streets of the City shall remove or cause to be removed from the abutting or bordering sidewalks and gutters all grass, weeds and other debris therefrom within three days after notice from the Director of the Department of Engineering or his authorized representative to remove the same. Such notice may be served upon the owner o...
Water Restrictions
Once Newark's Mayor or the Governor declares a water emergency, the Newark Water Conservation Ordinance bans watering lawns, shrubs, landscaped areas, trees and gardens outright. The ban runs under Chapter 33:2 and stays in force until the emergency is officially rescinded, backed by fines up to $500.
Newark Water Emergency Landscape Watering Ban
Significant RestrictionsNewark Revised General Ordinances § 33:2-4(a)(1)
Water supplied to users by the City shall not be used for any purpose declared to be nonessential, and the following uses are strictly prohibited while the ordinance is in effect: 1. Watering of lawns, shrubs, landscaped areas, trees, garden or vegetation of any type.
Rainwater Harvesting
Newark's zoning code requires wholesale, warehousing, and distribution facilities to install a rainwater capture and harvesting system to irrigate a mandatory green roof and support onsite landscaping, alongside a 65% green-roof coverage minimum.
Newark Mandates Rainwater Capture for Warehouses
Some RestrictionsNewark City Code § 41:6-2-44(2)-(3)
2. A minimum of 65% of the total Usable Roof Area of both principal and accessory structures shall include a green roof. 3. A rainwater capture/harvesting system for irrigation of the green roof, onsite landscaping maintenance, and/or other non-potable uses shall be provided.
Artificial Turf
Newark's vacant-property maintenance code lists artificial turf or sod as an acceptable way to cover the front, side and rear yards of a registered vacant property. Weeds, gravel, and broken concrete or asphalt are explicitly rejected as substitutes, so an owner keeping a vacant lot or house compliant can lay turf instead of maintaining live grass.
Newark Allows Artificial Turf on Vacant Yards
Light RestrictionsRevised General Ordinances of the City of Newark § 2:10-1.4G.3(d)-(e)
d. Yard maintenance of vacant registrable properties shall include, but not be limited to, grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings, decorative rock or bark or artificial turf/sod. Acceptable maintenance of yards and/or landscape shall not include weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt or similar material. e. Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, watering, ...
Composting
Newark allows composting as an accessory use on every residential lot, but Section 41:4-6-5 caps any compost area at five cubic yards and requires it sit at least three feet from every property line. All organic waste must be generated and used on the same site, with pest and odor controls in place at all times.
Newark Residential Composting Bin Rules
Some RestrictionsNewark Zoning & Land Use Ordinance § 41:4-6-5 (Composting, Accessory Use)
§ 41:4-6-5. Composting (Accessory Use). 1. No compost area may exceed five cubic yards in size. Any compost area must be placed at least three feet from any property line. 2. Organic waste must be generated on site. 3. All compost must be used on site. 4. Compost and raw materials shall not produce odor or attract mosquitos. 5. A rat, insect, rodent, bird and/or pest control such as screening o...
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