Stafford Township, NJ Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Two parts of Chapter 130, Land Use and Development, speak to native plants in Stafford Township. The binding one is § 130-51D(5), which covers stormwater management areas: bioretention systems, constructed stormwater wetlands, detention and infiltration basins, drainage ditches and swales, and wet ponds. All plant materials there must be species indigenous to the area, as set out in Chapter 7, "Landscaping," of the New Jersey Stormwater Best Management Practices Manual. These areas are planted with shade trees at the rate of one tree for every 800 square feet of vegetated basin area, excluding sand bottom. Of that quantity, 10 percent are 2.5 to three inch caliper, 20 percent are 1.5 to two inch caliper and 70 percent are eight-foot to ten-foot height whips. Special preference goes to species with known pollutant-removal abilities, and any other ornamental plants must be compatible with the natural environment. A complete planting plan goes to the Township Landscape Architect for review and approval under § 130-51D(4).

The second part is § 130-83, Groundwater quality protection: best management practices, added by Ord. No. 96-56 on 10-15-1996. Its principles are to be used to the maximum extent practicable to protect the Township's groundwater and potable water supply. Subsection B encourages preserving naturally vegetated areas and landscaped areas that use native plant material needing minimal fertilization and pesticide and herbicide application. Subsection C discourages substantial lawn areas that need that treatment. The verbs are "encouraged" and "discouraged," so these are guidelines, not a ban on lawns. Subsection A adds that commercial and residential development shall minimize impervious coverage and maximize natural unoccupied open space, and that in the Wellhead Protection Overlay (WPO) zones impervious coverage should be a minimum of 10% less than the underlying zoning permits.

Landscape maintenance plans under § 130-51K for non-fee-simple residential and all commercial development must address, among other items, the mowing of turf and wildflowers.