3 rules for unincorporated Somerset County, New Jersey.
Verified from official government sources
Somerset County towns now require tree-removal permits. NJDEP's MS4 stormwater mandate forced every municipality to adopt a tree-removal-and-replacement ordinance, and street trees are separately controlled by the shade tree commission under N.J.S.A. 40:64-5.
N.J.S.A. 40:64-5
Exercise full and exclusive control over the regulation, planting and care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery now located, or which may hereafter be planted in any public highway, park or parkway, except such as are excluded pursuant to section 40:64-1 of this Title in the municipality for which it was created, including the planting, trimming, spraying, care and protection thereof;
New Jersey designates no statewide heritage trees. In Somerset County, protection of notable trees runs through municipal shade tree commissions under N.J.S.A. 40:64-5 and, in northern towns, the Highlands Act's forest and tree-clearing limits.
N.J.S.A. 40:64-5
Exercise full and exclusive control over the regulation, planting and care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery now located, or which may hereafter be planted in any public highway, park or parkway, except such as are excluded pursuant to section 40:64-1 of this Title in the municipality for which it was created, including the planting, trimming, spraying, care and protection thereof;
Somerset County towns now require tree replacement. Under NJDEP's MS4 stormwater program, municipal ordinances make anyone removing a regulated tree replant on a fixed schedule. Bernards, for example, requires replacement within 12 months, monitored for two years.
N.J.S.A. 40:55D-93
Every municipality in the State shall prepare a storm water management plan and a storm water control ordinance or ordinances to implement said plan.
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