[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus 1-3-2023 by Ord. No. 2022-77. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-85]
As used in this chapter, the terms hereinafter set forth shall be defined and deemed to have the following meanings:
BOROUGH ARBORIST
An individual who holds a New Jersey State tree expert license as a licensed tree expert (NJLTE).
BOROUGH OFFICIAL
Zoning Official, Planning or Zoning Board, Construction Official, DPW, or other agency or official or designee as may be appropriate.
DIAMETER BREAST HEIGHT (DBH)
The diameter of a tree trunk, when measured at a height of 4.5 feet above the ground at the base of the tree, calculated as the circumference (or girth) of the tree divided by pi (3.1416). On sloping ground the aboveground reference point is the average between the highest and lowest points of the ground at the base of the tree. If the DBH point falls on a swelling in the trunk, it is measured below the swelling point where the diameter is the smallest. In case of trees with multiple trunks, the diameter of a multitrunk tree is determined by measuring the full diameter of the largest trunk, plus half the diameter of the other trunks.
PERMITS
Whenever, pursuant to any provision of this chapter, a permit is required, the applicant shall apply to the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus Building Department, which shall refer the matter to the Zoning Official, Planning or Zoning Board, or other agency or Borough Official as may be appropriate. The Construction Official (or appropriate official or officer or designee) shall either recommend approval or denial of an application for a permit, and it shall, in determining whether or not to recommend the issuance of such permit, take into consideration the nature, species, size, age and condition of any tree involved; the location thereof in the street or park; the planting, care, protection, maintenance, or removal procedures involved; the public safety and welfare; and the improvement and advancement of the shade tree plan or program of the Borough, based on conditions which may be established from time to time. The Construction Official shall thereafter make the final determination, subject to review by the governing body, of any permit application.
PERSON
Any individual, firm, partnership or corporation, or any combination thereof. Where, in the proper context, it is so required, this term may be construed to designate the plural as well as the singular.
STREET
Any road, avenue, street or highway dedicated to the public use for street purposes. A street shall be deemed to include all portions lying between the dedicated or established right-of-way lines and/or planting easement thereof, said lines being identical with the front property lines of lands abutting the street.
TREE
Any tree, shrub or plant, or any root, branch, flower or other part thereof that is located in or upon any street, park or public property.
TREE PROTECTION ZONE (TPZ)
A radius of at least 1.25 feet of protected area for each inch of trunk DBH. For example, a tree with a ten-inch diameter should have protection placed 12.5 inches from the tree. A twenty-foot-diameter tree should have fencing placed at least 25 feet from the tree to protect the tree roots. This may mean protecting the roots on-site. This area is to be free of equipment, supplies or building materials and to be delineated by an orange construction fence.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-85]
A. 
Except as hereinafter provided, the initial cost of all trees recommended for planting by the Borough Official, the cost of planting the same, the cost of the posts and boards or guards used for the protection thereof, and the cost of the removal of any tree or part thereof dangerous to the public safety shall, in accordance with uniform rules and regulations promulgated for this purpose, be a charge upon the real estate in front of which such tree or trees shall be planted or removed as an improvement thereof. Such cost, if it is so determined that it is to be paid by the owner, shall, unless paid directly to the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, be certified by it to the Collector of Taxes of the municipality; shall thereupon become and be a lien upon said real estate; shall be included in the next tax bill rendered to the owner or owners thereof; and be collected in the same manner as other taxes against that property.
B. 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to:
(1) 
A planting to replace a tree or trees theretofore recommended for planting by the Borough Official.
(2) 
A planting in connection with Arbor Day exercises or other educational demonstrations.
No person shall, without a permit, do any of the following acts:
A. 
Cut, prune, break, injure, remove, disturb or interfere in any way with any tree, including the root system;
B. 
Spray with any chemical any tree or near a tree to cause injury or death to said tree;
C. 
Fasten any rope, wire, sign or other device to a tree or to any guard about such tree;
D. 
Remove or injure any guard or device placed to protect any tree;
E. 
Close or obstruct any open space provided about the base of a tree to permit the access of air, water and fertilizer to the roots of such trees;
F. 
Excavate under the drip line;
G. 
No person shall plant any tree in any park, street, right-of-way, or Borough property without a permit;
H. 
Place any sign, lighting or decoration on a tree or root system.
A. 
No person shall, without a permit, place or maintain in any street or park any stone, cement or other sidewalk or any stone, cement or other substance which shall impede the free access of air and water to the roots of any tree.
B. 
Where any tree is to be surrounded by pavement of stone, cement, asphalt or any other substance tending to impede the free access of air and water to the roots of the tree, no portion of such pavement shall be nearer to any portion of the base of the trunk than four feet.
C. 
As to Borough sidewalks, this shall apply only to new development(s); not to replacement of existing sidewalks.
A. 
No person shall place salt, brine, oil or any other substance injurious to plant growth in any street or park in such a manner as to injure any tree.
B. 
No person shall build any fire or station any tar kettle, road roller, fuel-oil- dispensing truck, or other engine in any street or any other place in such a manner that the heat, vapors, fuel, or fumes therefrom may injure any tree.
C. 
Every person or entity, having or maintaining any underground or overhead utility lines in any street, public property or park shall maintain such lines in such a manner as will safeguard the trees against any damage therefrom and shall make periodic adjustments whenever necessary to prevent damage to trees
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-85]
A. 
In any site improvement, erection, alteration or repair of any structure or building, the owner, contractor or other person in charge thereof shall place required protection around the tree protection zone (TPZ) of all street trees and nearby trees as directed by the Construction Official or his designee. No storage of equipment, supplies or building materials will be permitted in the tree protection zone.
B. 
No person shall use or operate any power equipment or any other implement or tool in such a manner so as to damage or destroy any tree.
[Amended 4-25-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-85]
A. 
No person shall string any wires in or through a public park or property without a permit.
B. 
Every person having or maintaining any electric, telephone, telegraph, cable TV or other wires running in or through a street, public property, or park shall securely fasten and maintain such wires in such manner as will safeguard all trees against any damage therefrom and shall make periodic adjustment whenever necessary to prevent damage to all trees.
C. 
No person shall, without a permit, attach or fasten any wires, insulator or other device for holding any wire to any tree.
D. 
Whenever the Borough shall deem it necessary to prune or remove any tree, any persons having a wire running in or through any street or park shall temporarily remove such wire within 24 hours after the service upon the owner or his agent of a written notice to do so.
E. 
Any public utility or its agents after filling out a permit may, upon receiving written permission from the Borough at least 72 hours prior to the start of work, prune or remove trees for line clearance of utility wires in nonemergency situations pursuant to a line clearance program.
F. 
Any public utility or its agents may undertake emergency tree work to restore electrical service or spot work to prevent interruption of electrical, telephone, telegraph, cable TV or other wire services. In such event the utility will notify the Borough of said work within three business days of its beginning.
A. 
Any person who violates any provisions of this chapter or who fails to comply with the terms and provisions of any permit issued pursuant hereto shall pay a fine not less than $200 nor more than $1,500 for each violation. Each day that a violation shall continue shall constitute a separate offense. This chapter shall be enforced by either the Property Maintenance Officer, Zoning Officer or by the Borough of Ho- Ho-Kus through any of its duly authorized agents or employees by like proceedings and process consistent with the practice for the enforcement of ordinances of the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus. The officers authorized by law to serve and execute process in the aforementioned court shall be the officers to serve and execute any process issued out of any court under this chapter.
B. 
Restitution. In addition to the penalties authorized in this chapter, any person who removes, damages or otherwise destroys a tree in violation of a municipal ordinance shall pay restitution or a replacement assessment to the municipality. The replacement assessment shall be the value of the tree as determined by the appraisal of a trained forester or licensed tree expert for that purpose. In lieu of an appraisal, replacement shall be determined by use a formula and schedule based upon the Council of Tree and Landscape Appraisers Guide for Plant Appraisal, 9th Edition (or latest edition) guidelines.
C. 
In the absence of the Property Maintenance or Zoning Officer, stop orders may be issued by the Borough Administrator, Superintendent of Public Works or duly authorized police officer.
A. 
All monies collected, either as fines or penalties, for any violation of a rule or regulation or as a charge against real estate, under any provision of this chapter, shall be forthwith paid over to the Custodian of the Municipal Funds.
B. 
Restitution shall be paid or the value of a tree removed, destroyed or damaged and for the value of labor and materials required.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to make the Committee or any member thereof responsible for the death or injury of any person or for any injury to any property or highway tree or shrub.
A. 
The Shade Tree Committee shall adopt, upon approval of the governing body, from time to time, a fee schedule policy for permits and services.
B. 
Permit fee schedule:
(1) 
Tree planting. One up to five trees: $50 each. Over five trees: $25 each additional tree.
(2) 
Tree pruning. One up to five trees: $100 each. Over five trees: $50 each additional tree.
(3) 
Tree removal. One up to five trees: $250 each. Over five trees: $150 each additional tree.
(4) 
Excavation inspection fee: $125 per hour.
(5) 
General tree inspection fee: $125 per hour.