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Bradley Beach council introduces ordinance to raise unauthorized tree-removal fines
Summary
Council introduced Ordinance 2026-31 to amend borough tree-code penalties, raising the maximum fine to $1,000 as a deterrent and to align with state guidance; sponsor said the Shade Tree Commission prefers partnership with residents and does not expect to levy fines.
Council President Jane DeNoble introduced Ordinance 2026-31 on behalf of the Shade Tree Commission, asking the borough to increase penalties for unauthorized tree removal to $1,000 and to amend Chapter 425 of the borough's ordinances. "Our true goal is to partner with residents to protect our tree canopy and not to issue fines ever," DeNoble said, adding the commission has planted hundreds of trees in Bradley Beach.
The sponsor said the existing $200 penalty had become "part of doing business" and that neighboring communities maintain higher fees. DeNoble told the council the commission retains a $50 application fee that is used to plant replacement trees and that the higher fine is intended as a deterrent rather than a revenue source. She also said the change satisfies updated NJDEP "tier a regulations" referenced in the discussion, which the commission cited as requiring stronger local management of tree removal and replacement as part of coastal stormwater infrastructure.
Council members asked whether the commission had evidence that the $200 fine failed as a deterrent; DeNoble responded that people sometimes paid the fine instead of replacing trees. Council President DeNoble noted county and state guidance referenced fines up to $2,000 per tree, and the ordinance authors elected a $1,000 penalty as a mid-range option.
A motion to introduce the ordinance was made and seconded; the council approved the ordinance introduction.
What happens next: the measure was introduced for first reading. The ordinance will return for subsequent hearings and any vote required for formal adoption will be scheduled in a later meeting. The Shade Tree Commission and borough staff said they prefer to work with property owners on replacements rather than impose fines.
