East Orange, NJ Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

East Orange City Code § 51-193N(1), within the Tree Nuisance and Protection subsection of the Landscaping article, requires the owner of any private property whose tree overhangs a sidewalk, street or other public property in a way that impedes or interferes with traffic, or whose tree or limb has become likely to fall on or across a public right-of-way, to trim or remove the growth so the obstruction or danger is eliminated. If the Public Works Department determines a tree poses an immediate threat to life or limb, the Building Code Official may order removal of just the hazardous portion without waiting for the owner to act.

The same subsection reaches work on public shade trees: Subsection N(3) requires anyone whose construction requires cutting or pruning a public tree's roots to notify the Shade Tree Division of the Public Works Department at least 48 hours beforehand, and bars anyone but Shade Tree Division personnel, or a contractor under its direct supervision, from cutting those roots. Subsection N(6) separately makes every property owner responsible for watering a mature City street tree, for up to three years, whenever a landscaping change on the owner's lot cuts off the tree's normal water source. Notice of a violation under this section is served on the owner personally or by certified mail under Subsection N(7).