Every Passaic County municipality had to adopt a tree removal/replacement permit ordinance by May 1, 2024 under NJ's MS4 stormwater rules. In West Milford, for example, a permit is needed to exceed the per-acre removal limit, and replacement trees must be at least 2.5 inches in diameter.
New Jersey's stormwater (MS4) permit conditions required all municipalities — including those in Passaic County — to adopt a tree removal and replacement ordinance by May 1, 2024. NJDEP's model triggers a Tree Removal Application for a street tree of 2.5-inch DBH or more or a non-street tree of 6-inch DBH or more, with replacement or a payment into a municipal tree fund. Local codes vary: West Milford's Chapter 371 requires a permit to remove more than five trees per acre per year (capped at 15 trees per lot) and mandates replacement trees of at least 2.5-inch diameter. Passaic County does not issue these permits — apply through your municipality. Separately, N.J.A.C. 7:13 governs tree/vegetation removal in NJDEP-regulated flood hazard
Municipal. Removing trees over the local threshold without a permit brings a fine per tree plus mandatory replacement or a payment into the town's tree bank, per each ordinance.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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