Public tree maintenance in Union County is handled by municipal Shade Tree Commissions under the NJ Shade Tree Act (N.J.S.A. 40:64-1). Property owners responsible for trees overhanging sidewalks and streets.
Many NJ municipalities have Shade Tree Commissions established under N.J.S.A. 40:64-1 et seq. to manage public and street trees. Removal of street or public trees requires Shade Tree Commission approval. Some municipalities extend tree protection to significant private trees. Routine trimming generally doesn’t require permits but should follow ISA standards. Trees overhanging property lines: owner can trim branches to the property line. Street trees are municipal property. Development projects must preserve significant trees where feasible.
Unauthorized removal of public tree: $100 to $5,000+. Replacement planting required. Shade Tree Commission enforcement.
Union County, NJ
Union County municipalities restrict leaf blower operation by hour, with Westfield, Summit, and Maplewood-adjacent Cranford imposing seasonal gas-blower limi...
Union County, NJ
Elizabeth Code Ch. 7.24 prohibits abandoned vehicles on streets (72-hr limit) or visible on private property. NJ's Abandoned Vehicle Law (N.J.S.A. 39:10A-1) ...
Union County, NJ
Elizabeth and Union County municipalities require building permits for retaining walls over 4 ft (measured from bottom of footing to top of wall) per N.J.A.C...
Union County, NJ
NJ Uniform Construction Code (N.J.A.C. 5:23-3.14) mandates minimum 4-ft pool barriers. Elizabeth and most Union County towns require 5-ft fences with self-cl...
Union County, NJ
NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife prohibits feeding of black bears (N.J.A.C. 7:25-5.25) statewide. Union County municipalities also restrict feeding of deer, fe...
Union County, NJ
Union County is urban/suburban with low wildfire risk — not a designated NJ Forest Fire Service high-hazard zone. NJ Forest Fire Service (N.J.S.A. 13:9-1) re...
See how Union County's tree trimming rules stack up against other locations.
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