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

Chapter 96 of the Monroe Township Code, adopted 11-7-18 by Ord. No. O-10-2018-030, gives the Shade Tree Commission full and exclusive control over the regulation, planting and care of shade and ornamental trees and shrubbery in any public highway, park, parkway or public right-of-way of the Township, exclusive of state or county highways unless the proper authority gives assent (§ 96-1(A)). The Commission can move or require the removal of any tree or part of a tree dangerous to public safety (§ 96-1(C)).

Section 96-2 is the trimming rule. No person can do any listed act to trees, plants or shrubbery within the highway or public places under Township jurisdiction unless permission is first obtained from the Shade Tree Commission. The first listed act is to cut, trim, break, disturb the roots of or spray with chemicals any living tree or shrub. Related limits cover piling building material or making mortar or cement within six feet of a tree or shrub (§ 96-2(E)), excavating within six feet of any tree or shrub in a public highway or place (§ 96-2(K)), and cutting roots of more than one inch in diameter without first protecting them (§ 96-2(L)).

Private owners carry a clearance duty too. Section 97-9(A) requires sidewalks, steps, driveways, parking spaces and similar paved areas used by the public to be kept free of overhanging trees and shrubs which obstruct walkways. The owner is responsible, except that the occupant remains responsible for areas bordering or on the premises of a single-family dwelling, including mitigation of dead, dying, diseased, defective or decaying trees.

One tree has its own rule. Under § 66-5(B), anyone performing line clearance operations that require trimming or pruning of the Monroe Oak must first obtain written approval from the Monroe Township Conservation Officer 30 days before the work. Chapter 97 also defines tree removal to include excessive pruning, while stating that removal does not include responsible pruning and maintenance of a tree (§ 97-2).