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

Section 30-1.4, part of a section rewritten by Ordinance No. 2024-28 on November 26, 2024, requires a tree removal and site clearing permit from the Township Engineer or the Department of Community Development before removing, destroying or causing irreparable damage to any tree in Piscataway, with 'tree removal' defined in Section 30-1.3 to include excessive pruning, toxic treatments, over-mulching and grade changes within a tree's critical root radius that lead to its decline or death. Section 30-1.5 exempts trees on Township property, active tree farms, nurseries and orchards, approved forest stewardship properties, and, for single-family residential lots of one acre or less with an existing home, removal of three trees or fewer per calendar year; hazard trees documented by an ISA Certified Arborist may also come down fee-free.

Section 30-1.6 routes residential applications through the Department of Community Development for sole approval, while nonresidential applications also draw comment from the Environmental Commission. Section 30-1.7 requires replacement trees on a sliding scale by trunk diameter at breast height, from one 1.5-inch-caliper replacement tree for trunks 2.5 to 12.99 inches up to four replacement trees for trunks 33 inches or greater, or a payment of $80 per inch of caliper removed if on-site replanting is not approved. Section 30-1.8 bars machinery within six feet of any retained tree trunk and limits grading near a trunk to six inches of cut or fill.