Monroe Township (Gloucester County), NJ Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Section 31-19 of the Monroe Township Code (Gloucester County) puts the pruning duty on the owner of the tree, not the Township. An owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way must prune the branches so they do not obstruct the light from any streetlamp, do not obstruct the view of any street intersection, and leave a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the street or sidewalk.

The same section requires owners to remove all dead, diseased or dangerous trees and all broken or decayed limbs that constitute a menace to the safety of the public. The Township keeps its own right to prune any tree or shrub on private property when it interferes with the proper spread of light along the street from a streetlight, or with the visibility of any traffic control device or sign.

Topping is a separate matter on public land. Section 31-18 makes it unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm or city department to top any street tree, park tree or other tree on public property, and it defines topping as the severe cutting back of limbs to stubs larger than three inches in diameter within the crown. The Township Tree Commission can exempt trees severely damaged by storms, or certain trees under utility wires or other obstructions where other pruning practices are impractical.

Hiring a tree service for street or park trees carries its own requirement. Under § 31-23, no person or firm can engage in the business of pruning, treating or removing street or park trees in the township without a license. The annual fee is set in Chapter 74, Fees, and each applicant must file evidence of liability insurance of at least $50,000 for bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage. Public service companies and township employees doing such work in the pursuit of their public service endeavors need no license.

When a dead or diseased tree on private property is a hazard, § 31-20 adds a notice track: the Tree Commission notifies the owner in writing and the owner has 60 days after service to remove it at the owner's expense.