Parsippany-Troy Hills, NJ Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

The lawn standard in Parsippany-Troy Hills is qualitative. Section 213-22, Landscaping, requires that premises be kept landscaped and that lawns, hedges and bushes be kept trimmed and kept from becoming overgrown and unsightly. Chapter 213 attaches no inch or foot limit to that language, so the Senior Housing Inspector judges on inspection whether a lawn has become overgrown and unsightly.

A second provision reaches weeds directly. The hazards list in § 213-19B(1) prohibits brush, weeds, broken glass, stumps, roots, obnoxious growths, filth, garbage, trash, refuse and debris upon properties, and the owner or operator must promptly remove and abate them. Section 213-19A adds that no owner or operator can defend against a charge by pointing out that the tenant or occupant is also responsible. Section 213-19B(2) separately reaches dead and dying trees and limbs that constitute a hazard, which must be kept pruned and trimmed.

One height number does appear in the Township Code, in Chapter 360. Section 360-1 requires owners or tenants to keep all brush, hedges and other plant life growing within 25 feet of the intersection of the two roadways and/or within 10 feet of any roadway cut to a height of not more than 2 1/2 feet, or to a height that maintains proper sight distances as set by the Township Police Department or Township Engineer, within 10 days after notice to cut. The Superintendent of Parks and Forestry or a police officer gives that notice in writing (§ 360-2), and the cost of any cutting the Township performs becomes a lien on the land, added to the taxes with interest at the same rate (§ 360-4).

On the Chapter 213 side, the Housing Inspector serves written notice that specifies the violation and the remedial action and allows a reasonable time not to exceed 30 days, extendable by 30 days for good cause (§ 213-16B). If the owner does not act, the Township Council can adopt a resolution to abate at the owner's expense and charge the cost against the premises (§ 213-44).