Hoboken, NJ Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Hoboken's Shade Tree chapter, Chapter 169, puts every tree standing in a City-owned park, public right-of-way, street, road or highway under the control of the Shade Tree Commission and the Administrative Officer. Section 169-5B(1) lists the acts that require written permission before anyone may perform them on such a tree, starting with the core trimming rule: no person may cut, trim, break, climb with spikes, disturb the roots or otherwise intentionally injure, misuse or spray with harmful chemicals or remove a living tree, or remove any device installed to support or protect it, without first getting that written approval. The same subsection separately bars planting a tree, fastening ropes, cables or signs to one, blocking the air and water gap at its base, and piling material within eight feet of its trunk, all without permission.

Section 169-5B(2) extends the trimming rule onto private land in a narrower way: no one may cut, trim or remove part of a tree that originates on a neighboring property without that owner's approval or the Shade Tree Commission's. Anyone who wants to control growth on a public street by removing or pruning trees must apply for a tree permit and outline the work under § 169-5C, and § 169-7A attaches a $100 application review and permit fee to that process. During construction, § 169-4G requires wooden tree guards around any tree that will remain on site or in the right-of-way, sized so they keep ADA sidewalk clearance and stay clear of the curbline.

Section 169-15A makes each tree cut, damaged or destroyed in violation of the chapter a separate offense, punishable by $250 to $2,500 per violation, and the Administrative Officer or a Code Enforcement Officer can revoke a tree permit for a false application or noncompliance under § 169-15C.