To establish requirements for tree removal and replacement in the Township of Monroe, Gloucester County, to reduce soil erosion and pollutant runoff, promote infiltration of rainwater into the soil, and protect the environment, public health, safety, and welfare.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Monroe 1-6-2026 by Ord. No. O:33-2025; amended in its entirety 4-22-2026 by Ord. No. O:17-2026. Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words, and their derivations shall have the meanings stated herein unless their use in the text of this chapter clearly demonstrates a different meaning. When consistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future, words used in the plural number include the singular number, and words used in the singular number include the plural number. The use of the word "shall" means the requirement is always mandatory and not merely directory.
The zone around the base of a tree where the majority of the 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 6" DBH would have a CRR = 6"x1.5' = 9'.
The diameter of the trunk of a mature tree generally measured at a point four and a half 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.
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.
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 licensed tree expert (LTE).
Any individual, resident, corporation, utility, company, partnership, firm, or association.
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.
An individual who resides on the residential property or contractor hired by the individual who resides on the residential property where a tree(s) regulated by this ordinance is removed or proposed to be removed.
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.
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.
The diameter of the trunk of a young tree, measured six inches from the soil line. For young trees whose caliper exceeds four inches, the measurement is taken 12 inches above the soil line.
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 of a tree. Removal does not include responsible pruning and maintenance of a tree, or the application of treatments intended to manage invasive species.
A.
Tree replacement requirements.
(1)
Replacement of trees lost during construction. Where developers and/or property owners find it impossible to retain existing trees in the tree protection zone, or any tree with a diameter of 10 inches or greater, due to cutting, filling or other construction activity, the developers and/or property owners shall replant one inch of a new tree diameter for every three inches of existing tree diameter removed. New trees shall have a minimum diameter of 2 1/2 inches measured at diameter breast height and guaranteed for two growing seasons. Replanting shall be done according to the standards specified by the American Nurseryman's Association. Financial contributions (cash, check, etc.) to the Monroe Township Tree Trust Fund may be substituted in lieu of onsite tree replacement.
(2)
A list of permitted buffer area and street trees can be found on the Rutgers Native Tree List, accessible here: FS1140: Incorporating Native Plants in Your Residential Landscape (Rutgers NJAES). Any tree not specifically listed on the Rutgers Native Plant List will need to undergo review and approval by the Environmental Protection Commission in order for a resident to go about planting same.
B.
Replacement alternatives:
(1)
If the municipality determines that some or all required replacement trees cannot be planted on the property where the tree removal activity occurred, then the developer and/or property owner shall do one of the following:
(a)
Plant replacement trees in a separate area(s) approved by the municipality.
(b)
Pay a fee of (amount to be set by municipality, as per the table below) per tree removed. This fee shall be placed into a fund dedicated to tree planting and continued maintenance of the trees. This fee must be accompanied by the Monroe Township Tree Removal/Replacement Request Form.
Number of Trees to be Removed | Fee (Total) |
|---|---|
1-5 | $0 |
6-10 | $100 |
11-20 | $250 |
21-50 | $500 |
51-150 | $1,500 |
151+ | $1,500, plus $250 for each additional 100 trees or part thereof |
C.
Street tree removal:
(1)
Any tree located on any Township-owned lands may, upon determination by the Office of Zoning Enforcement, be removed as follows:
(a)
By and at the expense of the Township when dead or dying; or
(b)
By a combination of a public utility(ies) and the Township when endangering any aerial utility(ies), upon determination by the Enforcement Officer and/or upon the Township receiving notice from an appropriate and duly authorized public agency; or
(c)
By and at the expense of the Township when endangering any underground utility lateral(s) within the critical root zone of a tree, as determined and/or confirmed by the Enforcement Officer; or
(d)
By and at the expense of the adjacent and/or affected property owner when damaging any sidewalk within the Township right-of-way or when endangering an underground utility lateral(s) outside of the tree's critical root zone;
(e)
Any tree removed from any Township right-of-way or any Township-owned land by a property owner must receive approval from the Office of Zoning Enforcement prior to removal.
(f)
Pay a fee of (amount to be set by municipality, as per the table below) per tree removed.
Number of Trees to be Removed | Fee (Total) |
|---|---|
1-5 | $0 |
6-10 | $100 |
11-20 | $250 |
21-50 | $500 |
51-150 | $1,500 |
151+ | $1,500, plus $250 for each additional 100 trees or part thereof |
A.
Permit required. Except where specifically exempted pursuant to § 263-5 of this chapter, no person shall remove, cause to be removed, or authorize the removal of any tree regulated by this chapter without first submitting an application to and obtaining approval from the Township of Monroe through the Office of Zoning Enforcement or such other municipal official as may be designated by the Township.
B.
Application submission. Applications for tree removal or replacement approval shall be submitted on a form approved by the Township, commonly known as the Tree Removal/Replacement Request Form, and shall include such information as the Township deems reasonably necessary to evaluate the request, including but not limited to:
(1)
The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the property owner and any contractor performing the work.
(2)
The address of the property where the tree removal is proposed, including block and lot identification.
(3)
The estimated start date and anticipated duration of the proposed tree removal activity.
(5)
Where applicable, a proposed plan identifying the location, species, and size of replacement trees to be planted on the property.
(6)
Any additional documentation or information reasonably required by the Township, the Zoning Officer, Township Engineer, Environmental Protection Commission, or other reviewing authority for purposes of evaluating compliance with this Chapter.
C.
Application review. The Township's Office of Zoning Enforcement, or other designated municipal official, shall review each application to determine compliance with the requirements of this Chapter. The Township may approve the application, approve the application with conditions, or deny the application where the proposed activity does not comply with this Chapter.
D.
E.
Permit issuance. Upon approval of the application and payment of all required fees, the Township shall issue a permit authorizing the tree removal activity in accordance with the terms and conditions of this chapter.
F.
Compliance with permit. All tree removal activity authorized pursuant to this chapter shall be performed in accordance with the approved permit and any conditions imposed by the Township.
All persons shall comply with the tree replacement standard outlined above, except in the cases detailed below. Proper justification shall be provided, in writing, to the municipality by all persons claiming an exemption. Proper justification includes, but is not limited to, photographic evidence, or certification from a licensed treen expert or arborist, and/or state agency documentation. The Township shall request specific documentation in order to assess a potential exemption. Documentation may vary on a case-by-case basis:
A.
Residents who remove less than six trees per acre within a five-year period. Please note that the number of trees removed is a rolling count across a five-year period.
B.
Tree farms in active operation, nurseries, fruit orchards, and garden centers;
C.
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;
D.
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.
E.
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;
F.
Approved game management practices, as recommended by the State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife;
G.
Hazard trees may be removed with no fee or replacement requirement;
H.
Any tree within 50 feet from a residential home.
I.
Any trees removed as part of an agricultural operation in the Agricultural Production (AG) Zoning District.
J.
Any trees removed on a property which is farmland assessed.
K.
Any trees removed as part of an agricultural operation in the Rural Development Agricultural (RD-A) District.
This chapter shall be enforced by the Township's Office of Zoning Enforcement during the course of ordinary enforcement duties.
Any person(s) who is found to be in violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of $100 per tree.