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Keansburg introduces stricter tree-removal rules, replacement requirements and fees
Summary
Ordinance #1730 was introduced to require permits for many tree removals, set replacement ratios by diameter, allow alternatives (planting or $500 fee), and impose a $1,000 penalty for violations; council set the public hearing for Oct. 16.
The Keansburg Borough Council on Sept. 18 introduced Ordinance No. 1730 to regulate tree removal and replacement across the borough. The ordinance sets permitting thresholds—street trees with DBH of 2.5 inches or greater and non-street trees of 6 inches DBH—and a replacement table that ties the number of required replacement trees and minimum caliper to the diameter of trees removed.
Key provisions include a requirement that replacement trees be planted within 12 months and monitored for two years, a municipal option to accept replacement planting elsewhere or a $500 fee per required tree to be placed into a dedicated tree/dune-grass fund, and exemptions for limited removals, tree farms, NJDEP/EPA remediation actions, municipal/state decommissioning and hazard-tree removals. The ordinance assigns enforcement responsibilities to Code Enforcement and sets a $1,000 fine for violations.
During discussion Councilman Tonne asked whether dune-grass replenishment was addressed in the ordinance. Borough engineer Robert Yuro, P.E., replied that the ordinance does contain provisions that will dedicate funds to beach-grass plantings.
What’s next Ordinance 1730 was introduced and set for public hearing Oct. 16, 2024. If adopted, the ordinance will require the borough to implement application, monitoring and enforcement procedures and to manage a tree-replacement fund for cases where on-site planting is infeasible.
