[1972 Code § 5-9.1; amended 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
It is the intent of this section to establish requirements for tree removal and replacement in the Township of Piscataway to reduce soil erosion and pollutant runoff, promote infiltration of rainwater into the soil, and protect the environment, public health, safety and welfare.
[1972 Code § 5-9.2]
The Governing Body does find that the indiscriminate, uncontrolled and excessive destruction, removal and cutting of trees upon lots and tracts of land within the Township has resulted in creating increased water runoff, soil erosion, stream channel sedimentation and consequent flooding, depression of the water table, noise pollution and dust, and decreased soil fertility, air quality, climate moderation, wildlife habitat and property values, with the result that there has been and will continue to be further deterioration affecting the health, safety and general well being of the residents of the Township.
[1972 Code § 5-9.3; amended 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
As used in this section:
Shall mean any "person," as defined below, who applies for approval to remove trees regulated under this ordinance.
Shall mean the zone around the base of a tree where the majority of this root system is found. This zone is calculated by multiplying the diameter at breast height (DBH) of the tree by 1.5 feet. For example: a tree with a six-inch DBH would have a CRR = 6" x 1.5' = 9".
Shall mean the diameter of the trunk of a mature tree generally measured at a point 4 1/2 feet above ground level from the uphill side of the tree. For species of trees where the main trunk divides below the 4 1/2 foot height, the DBH shall be measured at the highest point before any division.
Shall mean a tree or limbs thereof that meet one or more of the criteria below. Trees that do not meet any of the criteria below and are proposed to be removed solely for development purposes are not hazard trees. The Township Landscape Architect shall make any arbitrating decisions on hazard tree determination.
Has an infectious disease or insect infestation;
Is dead or dying;
Obstructs the view of traffic signs or the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles, where pruning attempts have not been effective;
Is causing obvious damage to structures (such as building foundations, sidewalks, etc.); or
Is determined to be a threat to public health, safety, and/or welfare by a certified arborist or Township Landscape Architect.
Shall mean any individual, resident, corporation, utility, company, partnership, firm, or association.
Shall mean the part of a street right-of-way between the public right-of-way and the portion of the street reserved for vehicular traffic or between the abutting property line and the curb or traveled portion of the street, exclusive of any sidewalk.
Shall mean an individual who resided on the residential property or contractor hired by the individual who resided on the residential property where a tree(s) regulated by this chapter is removed or proposed to be removed.
Shall mean any lot, tract, parcel or parcels of land within the Township.
Shall mean a tree planted in the sidewalk, planting strip, and/or in the public right-of-way adjacent to (or specified distance from) the portion of the street reserved for vehicular traffic. This also includes trees planted in planting strips within the roadway right-of-way, i.e., islands, medians, pedestrian refuges.
Shall mean a woody perennial plant, typically having a single stem or trunk growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground.
Shall mean to kill or to cause irreparable damage that leads to the decline and/or death of a tree. This includes, but is not limited to, excessive pruning, application of substances that are toxic to the tree, over-mulching or improper mulching, and improper grading and/or soil compaction within the critical root radius around the base of the tree that leads to the decline and/or death or a tree. Removal does not include responsible pruning and maintenance of a tree, or the application of treatments intended to manage invasive species.
Shall mean a certificate issued by the Township Engineer or designated representative of the Department of Community Development of the Township to authorize removal or destruction of "trees" as defined in this section.
Shall mean an area in which trees, shrubs and undercover will not be disturbed by filling, cutting or by any other means.
[1972 Code § 5-9.4]
No person shall remove or destroy or cause to be removed or destroyed any tree (as defined above) growing within the Township without first having obtained a tree removal and site clearing permit except as otherwise provided herein.
[1972 Code § 5-9.5; amended 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
Exempted from this section's provisions shall be:
a.
Trees located on Township property;
b.
Removals of three trees or less located on a tract of land, one acre or less, in all single-family residential zones which tract of land has an existing residential building located thereon within any calendar year;
c.
Tree farms in active operation, nurseries, fruit orchards, and garden centers;
d.
Properties used for the practice of silviculture under an approved forest stewardship or woodland management plan that is active and on file with the municipality;
e.
Any trees removed as part of a municipal or state decommissioning plan. This exemption only includes trees planted as part of the construction and predetermined to be removed in the decommissioning plan;
f.
Any trees removed pursuant to a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved environmental clean-up, or NJDEP approved habitat enhancement plan;
g.
Approved game management practices, as recommended by the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife;
h.
Hazard trees may be removed with no fee if supported by a letter from an ISA Certified Arborist.
[1972 Code § 5-9.6]
a.
Residential Property. To obtain a tree removal and site clearing permit, applicant must furnish a sketch of the property of sufficient accuracy showing the approximate location, trunk diameter and species of trees to be removed with the Director or designated representative of the Department of Community Development who, upon review and inspection (when necessary), shall have sole authority for permit approval.
b.
Nonresidential Property, Vacant or Otherwise Developed. No trees shall be removed unless and until an application in duplicate has been filed with the Director or designated representative of the Department of Community Development who, upon receipt of same, shall solicit the comments of the Environmental Commission (E.C.) to the extent possible and practical and conduct site inspection and review findings of the E.C. as to the propriety of issuing the permit.
[1972 Code § 5-9.7; Ord. No. 2015-13; amended 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
a.
A specific replacement plan in accordance with the provisions set forth herein may be offered to the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment as appropriate proposing replacement be made on an alternate site, such as, but not limited to, municipal parkland, municipal recreation facilities or as shade tree plantings throughout the Township of Piscataway. This plan shall include the following:
1.
A plot plan or plat, on a scale of one inch equal 100 feet or less, showing the existence of wooded areas and clearly marked boundaries of the plots used to determine the average wooded acre for the site. For each plot there shall be a listing identifying the number and species of trees inventoried, to the extent possible and practical. The plot plan shall include a lot and block number, the street number if assigned and a certification of compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
2.
Location of streams and watercourses.
3.
Location of slopes of greater than 10% where any tree removal is proposed.
4.
Location(s) on the tract where the tree removal is to take place.
5.
Total acreage of the tract.
6.
Total number of wooded acres permitted for development within the tract.
7.
For tracts less than two acres, the total number, by species of trees having a caliper of three inches or greater on the tract. For tracts greater than two acres, the applicant may make an estimate of the total quantity of trees to be removed, by species, based on the average wooded acre for the site.
b.
Tree replacement requirements shall be based upon the following formulas:
Category | Tree Removed (DBH) (inches) | Tree Replacement Criteria (See Appendix A) |
|---|---|---|
1 | 2.5 to 12.99 | Replant 1 tree with a minimum tree caliper of 1.5" for each tree removed |
2 | 13 to 22.99 | Replant 2 trees with minimum tree calipers of 1.5" for each tree removed |
3 | 23 to 32.99 | Replant 3 trees with minimum tree calipers of 1.5" for each tree removed |
4 | 33 or greater | Replant 4 trees with minimum tree calipers of 1.5" for each tree removed |
c.
In the event the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment does not approve the replacement of all required trees on an alternate site, then payment shall be made to the Township in the amount set forth by the following formula: $80 per each one inch in caliper of the tree to be removed. For example, removing a three-inch-caliper tree shall equal a $240 payment.
d.
At the discretion of the Township Landscape Architect, established hedgerows or wooded areas comprised of canopy trees with understories of small trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and other landscape material, may be credited against the total replacement count on a case-by-case basis to preserve ecosystems and habitats.
[1972 Code § 5-9.8]
a.
The holder of a tree removal permit shall notify the Director of the Department of Community Development or designated representative, in writing, at least three business days in advance of the proposed date of commencement of tree removal. No activity shall take place on Saturdays, Sundays or legal holidays without the express written approval of the Director or designated representative of the Department of Community Development.
b.
No tree removal and/or site clearing permit shall be issued unless and until the land and subject trees have been viewed by the Director or designated representative of the Department of Community Development and same concludes that tree removal from the site in accordance with the permit shall not impair the growth and development of the remaining trees on the site and/or adjacent/contiguous properties, including but not limited to the following:
1.
Machinery or materials shall not be permitted to be operated/placed within a radius of six feet from any tree trunk;
2.
The grade of the land located within six feet of any tree trunk shall not be raised or lowered more than six inches;
3.
The proposed tree removal shall not cause soil erosion or increased dust;
4.
The proposed tree removal shall not impair existing drainage patterns;
5.
The proposed tree removal shall not substantially impair the aesthetic values of the area; and
6.
The proposed tree removal shall not be in conflict with any recommendations and/or findings of the Planning Board and/or Zoning Board of Adjustment.
c.
The holder of a tree removal permit shall inform the Director or designated representative of the Department of Community Development as to the proposed method of disposal of any removed trees, so that same shall be done in an environmentally sound manner.
[1972 Code § 5-9.9; Ord. No. 04-06; amended 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
a.
Fees payable for the filing of an application for a tree removal and/or site clearing permit shall be $100 filing fee and $200 inspection fee for any site of one acre or less. An additional $200 inspection fee shall be required for each additional two acres or portion thereof.
b.
Fees for removal of trees not authorized by a permit as described herein, notwithstanding the exceptions listed previously, shall be $25 per tree removed to a maximum of $5,000 per acre unless an alternate tree replacement plan is authorized by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment; the Director of the Department of Community Development or designated representative may require trees to be replanted on property damaged by unauthorized tree removal, in addition to authorizing penalties as described herein, with requirements including but not limited to the following:
1.
Any trees authorized by a replacement plan will be required to be planted prior to the issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy, whichever is applicable, and inspected for compliance with the terms and conditions of this section. A performance bond may be posted to guarantee the work at a rate of $500.00 per tree to be replaced; the amount of the bond to be approved by the Director of the Department of Community Development or designated representative and the form of the bond to be approved by the Township of Piscataway Director of Law or designated representative.
2.
The penalty fees collected as described herein shall be placed into a fund to be administered by the Township for the purpose of tree maintenance and replacement.
c.
A maintenance bond shall be required to be posted in the amount of 20% of the total cost of the replacement trees for any trees authorized to be planted as part of the tree replacement plan. In the event that a performance bond shall be posted to guarantee authorized tree replacement, a maintenance bond shall be required to be posted prior to the request to the Governing Body for release of the performance bond.
d.
All fees, penalties and/or posting of bonds as described herein shall be paid and/or posted, as applicable, prior to the request for any building permit or certificate of occupancy for any structure on the property described as part of any tree removal activity as described herein. All fees payable to the Township are required to be submitted in the form of cash, certified check or money order.
[1972 Code § 5-9.10; amended 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
a.
Any person found guilty of violating any of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $2,000 for each violation and the courts which now or hereafter have jurisdiction for the violations of the Code or ordinances of the Township of Piscataway shall have jurisdiction for the purpose of this section. Each day that such violation continues shall be considered a separate violation, subject to fines as the courts deem appropriate.
b.
In addition to the penalties authorized by the subsection above, the court may require a person who removes or otherwise destroys a tree in violation of this section to pay a replacement assessment to the municipality. The replacement assessment shall be the value of the tree as determined by the appraisal of the Director or designated representative of the Department of Community Development or a certified tree expert retained by the Township for such purpose.