Toms River, NJ Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Clearance required
- 8 feet over street/sidewalk
- Responsible party
- Tree owner
- Limb removal
- Needs written Township OK
- Township authority
- Can prune for safety
Summary
Toms River property owners must prune any tree overhanging a street or sidewalk to keep at least eight feet of clearance above the surface.
Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the Township shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any streetlamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection as specified in § 348-5.7 of the Code of the Township of Toms River. Such trees shall be cleared to provide a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the street or sidewalk. Said owners may remove all dead trees or broken or decayed limbs which constitute a menace to the safety of the public after written permission is given by the Division of Shade Trees. In addition, each owner or other person performing the above work shall also sign a release exempting the Township from any liabilities or property damage resulting from this work. The Township shall have the 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 interferes with visibility of any traffic control device or sign.
D. Removal of stumps. All stumps of street and park trees shall be removed below the surface of the ground so that the top of the stump shall not project above the surface of the grounds.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954830; v33 updated 2026-04-22; through 04-22-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 471-6C makes the owner of any tree overhanging a street or right-of-way responsible for pruning branches so they don't block streetlamp light or sight lines at intersections, per the § 348-5.7 sight-triangle rule, and requires clearing to an eight-foot height over the street or sidewalk. Owners may remove dead or hazardous limbs only after written permission from the Division of Shade Trees, and must sign a release exempting the Township from liability for that work.
Violations & Fines
Failure to maintain clearance falls under the chapter's general penalty of $100 to $1,000 per day, or up to 90 days in jail, per violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is responsible for trimming a tree that overhangs the sidewalk in Toms River?
Can I just cut off dead limbs myself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Toms River
Compare Toms River to another location·View the New Jersey landscaping rules overview
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Tree Trimming in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle tree trimming.