Newark, NJ Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)

Newark's Division of Parks, Grounds and Shade Trees, within the Department of Public Works, controls all work on trees standing in city streets and parks. Section 27:1-3 states plainly that no person shall trim, cut or prune any tree in or on a public street without written permission of the Director of Public Works, and once the Director finds the proposed trimming necessary and approves the method and workmanship, a written permit issues, with all work required to follow the permit's terms exactly. This sits alongside § 27:1-2, which separately bars cutting, breaking, climbing or otherwise injuring any tree or plant growing in a public street or city park without the Director's written permission, a broader companion rule covering damage beyond ordinary trimming.

Contractors and property owners doing exterior work near street trees also fall under § 27:1-12, which requires guards placed around every tree in the vicinity of building erection, repair, alteration or removal, to prevent construction damage. Anyone interfering with city crews performing authorized pruning, cultivating, mulching or spraying work under § 27:1-13 commits a separate violation. The chapter's general penalty clause, § 27:1-15, applies across all of Chapter 27:1: a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for not more than 90 days, or both, with each day a violation continues charged as a separate offense.

Permits are obtained through the Department of Public Works rather than a private tree service acting alone; unpermitted trimming exposes both the person who does the cutting and anyone who authorizes or procures it to prosecution.