Old Bridge, NJ Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Section 457-19, added in 2017, targets invasives that spread beyond a property owner's land. The default rule bars anyone from planting, cultivating or causing an invasive to grow on any Township lot, but two exceptions exist: the root system can be entirely contained in an above-ground planter, barrel or similar vessel designed to prevent root spread, or it can be contained within a properly constructed and maintained root barrier system. Either way, § 457-19B(2) requires the plant to be located, trimmed and maintained so no part of it comes closer than 10 feet to any property line.

Existing invasives planted before the section's effective date are grandfathered under § 457-19C, but only until the Conservation Officer determines, on inspection or on a neighbor's complaint, that the plant has grown onto, rooted across, or extended branches or leaves over a public way or another owner's property; at that point the exemption no longer applies. Once the Conservation Officer or Township identifies an encroachment, § 457-19D requires written notice by certified and first-class mail specifying the violation and giving the responsible party 30 days to correct it.

Section 457-16 lets the Conservation Officer treat an invasive that adversely affects the environment, as defined by the NJDEP Invasive Species Council list, USDA and U.S. Forest Service invasive references, or the Rutgers Invasive Plant Monitoring List, as a public nuisance subject to a removal order. If the 30-day notice period passes without correction, § 457-19D(2) authorizes the Township to remove the invasive itself, eradicate regrowth including on sidewalks and rights-of-way, and restore the land, recovering all costs, civil penalties and legal fees from the responsible party under § 457-19D(3).