Bayonne, NJ Tree Protection: Parkway Planting (2026)

Section 33-10.17 of the Planning and Development Regulations governs street appurtenances, obstructions and sight distance reviewed by the Division of Community Development/Planning and Zoning during subdivision and site plan approval. Subsection c requires street trees on all development applications, planted roughly 40 feet apart between the setback line and the street right-of-way line, including along the side street of a corner lot, and set back at least 25 feet from any existing or proposed streetlight or street intersection so growth does not block sight lines or lamp coverage.

Paragraph 2 bars planting that interferes with utilities, roadways or sidewalks, and paragraph 3 sets a nursery-stock minimum of three inches in caliper measured at breast height, with the first branches starting at least eight feet above grade so trucks and pedestrians can pass beneath the canopy; the City may waive the caliper minimum where adequate existing growth is already present. The same section lists recommended street tree species by planting-strip width, from columnar oaks and flowering cherries for lawns 2.5 to four feet wide down to compact varieties like Japanese maple and crabapple for strips under 30 inches.

Because these are site plan design standards rather than a stand-alone chapter, compliance is checked at application review: the Division and Planning Board can condition or deny approval of a subdivision or site plan that omits the required tree line, uses undersized stock, or crowds a streetlight or intersection. Chapter 33 sets no separate fine for this subsection, so a proven violation after approval defaults to the Chapter 1 General Penalty at § 1-5.1, up to $1,250, 90 days in jail, or 90 days of community service, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation under § 1-5.5.