Jackson, NJ Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Buffer areas along property lines abutting residential zones, required under § 244-193B for most nonresidential and multifamily uses, must stay 10 to 50 feet wide depending on building size and are generally off-limits to clearing, grading, dumping, structures, pavement and destruction of plant life such as clear cutting, burning or herbicide application. Section 244-193B(6) carves out a specific list of conditional activities that may still occur in a buffer if performed in a manner that minimizes adverse effects: normal property maintenance, mowing of existing lawn or field, pruning, selective cutting approved by the Township Forester, replacement of existing nonnative plants with either native or nonnative species, limited supplemental planting of nonnative species that will not significantly change the buffer's existing vegetational community, with the creation of lawn excluded from that allowance, and planting of native species outright.

This gives landowners and site developers a defined path to naturalize a required buffer with native species, or swap out nonnative plantings, without triggering the stricter disturbance bans that otherwise apply. The municipal agency, after Environmental Commission and professional staff review, may also waive buffer planting requirements in heavily wooded areas or where conditions make plantings unsuitable, under § 244-193C(8).