Tree removal permit rules in Morris County, NJ — sometimes called heritage tree, protected tree, or street tree ordinances — list which trees require a permit before you can cut them down.
Morris County itself sets no tree-removal rule, but every New Jersey municipality — including all Morris County towns — was required to adopt a tree removal and replacement ordinance under NJDEP's MS4 stormwater permit. Removing a tree may require a town permit and replacement planting.
In November 2022 the NJDEP required all municipalities holding a Tier A MS4 (municipal separate storm sewer) stormwater permit to adopt and enforce a community-wide tree removal and replacement ordinance, with a compliance deadline extended to May 1, 2024. The mandate stems from stormwater rules under N.J.A.C. 7:8 and Municipal Land Use Law authority (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-93). Under these local ordinances a resident removing a tree generally must obtain a permit and replace it with a comparable tree or pay into a tree-replacement fund; hazard trees are typically exempt from fees and replacement. Check your Morris County town's specific ordinance — the county does not administer it.
Set by each town's ordinance: typically a per-tree fine plus a requirement to replace the tree or pay the tree-replacement/reforestation fund fee.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Morris County's tree removal & heritage trees rules stack up against other locations.
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