Ridgewood prohibits residents from pruning or altering any tree within the public right-of-way in a manner that could reduce its viability or life span.
Chapter 260, Tree Protection, Removal, and Replacement, was adopted by the Village Council on April 9, 2025 and replaced earlier shade tree provisions. The chapter expressly forbids property owners and residents from altering or pruning any tree, or the conditions surrounding a tree, within the public right-of-way if such activity could harm tree viability. The Shade Tree Division of Parks and Public Works performs maintenance on roughly 15,000 Village-owned street trees, and any pruning of those trees must be coordinated with the Village Arborist. Utility-driven pruning by PSE&G is permitted under separate state utility authority.
Unauthorized pruning of right-of-way trees may trigger penalties under Chapter 260, including replacement costs and fines.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle tree trimming.
See how Ridgewood's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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