Howell, NJ Landscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (2026)

Howell Township's Tree Removal and Replacement Ordinance, Article XXII of the Land Use chapter, makes a permit the gate for tree work. Under § 188-193A(2), an owner removing trees without a subdivision or site plan application submits an application in duplicate to the administrative officer with the fee set in Chapter 139, Fees. The application gives the street address with block and lot, owner and occupant names and phone numbers, total acreage, a list of the number of trees by species with a DBH greater than four inches to be removed, the reason for removal, and the location on the tract.

Lot size drives the rule. Homestead lots of one to three acres can be cleared up to 100% of the area where a single-family dwelling has been erected or is to be erected without replacement, and the Township recommends that a minimum of 25% of the existing trees remain. On homestead lots over three acres the owner files a plan showing the boundaries of the homestead acre and the area to be cleared. Residential home site lots of one acre or less are exempt under § 188-190G, along with farms, nurseries, Christmas tree farms and dead, dying or hazardous trees removed by the homeowner.

The administrative officer, with the Township Engineer and the CTE, can field inspect the lot. The inspection checks whether the removal touches a conservation, wetland or buffer area, a tree planted as required screening, runoff, soil stability and erosion, adjacent properties, or historic or landmark trees. A violated criterion sends the matter to the board that has or would have jurisdiction. The permit is valid for one year, the officer approves or denies within 10 calendar days of a complete application, and no additional fee applies when the tree work is part of another land use permit such as a deck or pool (§ 188-200A). When building, the tree permit comes first: no building permit issues until it is granted.

A denial can be appealed to the Planning Board within 30 days (§ 188-203). Section 188-194B requires two replacement trees for each removed tree of 8 to under 16 inches DBH. Where planting area is limited, an applicant can contribute $400 per tree to the Township Tree Fund, capped at $45,000 per developed acre (§ 188-195C). Clear-cutting is barred on slopes of 10% or greater (§ 188-198A).