New Brunswick, NJ Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Chapter 12.32, Shade Trees, of the New Brunswick Municipal Code puts every tree on a public highway or place under the shade tree bureau. Section 12.32.010 prohibits any person, firm, corporation or individual connected with a firm, acting purposely, carelessly or negligently, from doing or causing others to do six things without the bureau's written permission: (A) cut, prune, climb with spikes, break, injure or remove any tree, shrub or plant on a public highway or place, or disturb any root; (B) spray any tree, shrub or plant with any chemical; (C) fasten any rope, wire, sign or other device to a tree, shrub or guard; (D) remove or injure a protective guard; (E) place salt, brine, oil or other substances injurious to plant growth where they can injure a tree or shrub; and (F) build a fire or station a tar kettle, road roller or other engine where heat, vapors or fumes can injure one.

The request is made in writing. Section 12.32.080 directs the applicant to apply to the Shade Tree Bureau, City Hall, New Brunswick. If the superintendent decides continuous supervision is required to preserve the health of existing trees, § 12.32.090 makes the person or contractor pay the usual wage rate of the bureau's inspector for the time spent supervising.

The bureau can also act on its own. Section 12.32.030 gives it power to remove or require the removal of any tree or part of a tree dangerous to public safety or for the welfare of the tree or the city as a whole. It gives reasonable notice unless public safety requires immediate removal, and if the work is not done in a reasonable time the bureau removes the tree itself. The cost is a charge on the real property in front of which the tree is planted, and unpaid cost is certified to the collector of taxes and becomes a lien included in the next tax bill.

Utilities have their own steps under § 12.32.050. When a tree must be pruned or removed, a wire owner must temporarily remove its wires within twenty-four (24) hours after written notice from the bureau, or may instead prune, top or remove the tree under the bureau's direction. Section 12.32.060 prohibits preventing, delaying or interfering with the bureau's agents.