Removing a tree from your property in New Jersey is not always straightforward. Before scheduling tree services in Franklinville, NJ, you should know that most municipalities require a tree removal permit. Local regulations and ordinances vary, and skipping this step can mean serious fines.
What the Ordinance Actually Requires
Franklin Township has clear tree removal permit requirements. Any street tree with a trunk wider than 2.5 inches at chest height needs approval before removal. Street trees are those growing along the road, in the strip between the sidewalk and the street.
For trees elsewhere on your property, the threshold is six inches. You cannot remove a tree until municipal officials approve the request. Most applications cost $35 per tree. Historically valuable or especially rare trees cost $200 and need the Mayor’s direct approval.
When a Permit Is Required for Tree Removal
Location is equally important to consider. Street trees trigger the permit process at a lower trunk–width threshold than backyard trees. Before removing a tree that requires a permit, submit the tree details, pay the application fee, and wait for approval.
Larger clearing projects can include a tree survey with the application. This identifies the number, sizes, and any exemptions across the property.
Rules for Removing Trees on Private Property
Not every tree removal goes through the full process. A tree that is dead, diseased, or confirmed unsafe by a professional can be removed without a fee or replacement obligation. However, you still need a written statement from a qualified tree professional to back up that claim.
Homeowners also get some leeway. Removing fewer than four trees with trunks under 23 inches wide within five years does not trigger replacement requirements.
Replacement Rules That Come With Removal
Removing a tree does not end your obligations. Most removals come with an obligation to plant new trees within 12 months. A tree removal permit for a smaller tree means planting one replacement. Remove a tree over 33 inches wide, and you owe four replacements.
If your property cannot fit the new trees, the township may approve a separate location. You can also pay into a township tree fund instead. That fee ranges from $25 to $100 per tree, depending on size.
Penalties for Skipping the Process
The local regulations for tree removal permits in New Jersey carry real financial consequences. Homeowners who skip the process face a $250 fine per tree. Businesses face between $500 and $1,000 per tree. Cutting down a tree of significance has no fine cap at all. Violators must also cover the cost of replacement trees planted elsewhere in the township. All of this is in addition to the cost of removing the tree itself.
Get Help With Your Tree Removal Permit
Securing a tree removal permit in Franklinville doesn’t have to be complicated. At Greg Smith Tree Service, we know local ordinances and can guide you through the permitting process and handle your tree removal safely and legally. There are plenty of reasons to avoid DIY tree removal, including fines, property damage, and safety risks.
Contact us today or call (856) 816-1475 for a free estimate.
