Jersey City encourages native plantings through its Green Infrastructure program. Natives are freely allowed on private lots, but street-tree plantings must come from the City Forester's approved list.
Jersey City does not restrict homeowners from using native New Jersey plant species in private landscaping, and the Office of Sustainability actively promotes native-plant gardens, pollinator habitat, and rain gardens as part of green stormwater infrastructure. Recommended natives for the Hudson County region include switchgrass, little bluestem, black-eyed susan, New England aster, serviceberry, red maple, and eastern redbud. For any tree planted in the public right-of-way or tree pit, property owners and developers must coordinate with the Division of City Planning and the City Forester, who maintain an approved street-tree species list emphasizing salt-tolerant and urban-hardy natives. The City's Green Infrastructure program funds rain gardens and bioswales that incorporate native plantings to manage stormwater. Replacement of invasive or non-native plantings with natives is generally encouraged and does not require a permit on private property as long as no tree removal or grading work is involved.
Unauthorized plantings in the public right-of-way, or removal of protected street trees to install native species without a permit, can result in fines and replacement requirements.
Jersey City, NJ
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