Tree Removal Permit

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Executive Summary

This document outlines the requirements and application process for a Tree Removal Permit in Florham Park. It details criteria for when a permit is needed, based on residential zone and the number/size of trees (10-inch DBH or greater) removed within a two-year period. Applicants must provide information on the tree removal service company, including licensed tree experts, and adhere to specific replacement tree schedules or make payments to a 'Tree Fund' at $325 per replacement tree. The application also requires a $25.00 fee, a property survey showing trees to be removed and replaced, and prior inspection by the Borough Engineer. The permit specifies design requirements for tree removal, ensuring no more than 60% of the total canopy is removed and that removals are necessary for construction or other approved improvements. Penalties for non-compliance include a $250.00 fine for failure to notify the Borough Engineer and a $3000.00 fine per tree for unauthorized removal or exceeding permit limits, along with mandatory replanting. Permits are valid for one year from the date of issue unless a building permit is required.

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Document Text

--- Document: Tree Removal Permit Document ---
1
Date____________ Block #_________ Lot #_________ Address: _____________________________ 
Lot Owner Name _________________________________________ 
Zone: _________________ 
Lot Owner Address _______________________________________     
Lot Owner Telephone ______________________    Lot Owner Email:__________________________ 
Tree Removal Service Company:
TREE REMOVAL SCHEDULE 
Diameter & 
Species 
Reason for 
Removal 
Replacement 
Requirement 
Quantity and Species of 
Tree Replacement 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank
No
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Yes- On-site, 
Off-site, Bank 
No 
Tree Removal Permit Application 
Engineering Department 
111 Ridgedale Avenue 
          Approved           Denied 
 
Florham Park, N.J. 07932 
          Permit No._____________ 
Telephone:  973-410-5334
Fax:  973-410-5490 
Email:    kkaplan@fpboro.net 
Licensed Tree  Expert (LTE) or Licensed Tree Care 
Operator (LTCO):
Name_______________________________________ 
License No.__________________________________
NJTC#:______________________________________
Name_____________________________
Address___________________________
Telephone _________________________


2
The replacement of trees shall occur as prescribed in the following table: 
Tree Replacement & Reforestation Schedule 
DBH Caliper of Existing Tree Removed 
Number of Replacement Trees (3” DBH Caliper) 
(DBH measured 4’-6” above ground) 
Between 10 & 12 inches 
3 
Between 12 & 18 inches 
4 
Between 18 & 24 inches 
5 
Between 24 & 30 inches 
7 
Between 30 & 36 inches 
10 
36 inches or greater 
The equivalent of 3” caliper trees or greater needed 
to equal the DBH of the removed tree 
Approximate Tree Removal Start Date: _______________________  
Total Number of Trees to be removed: _____________ Tree Removal Permit Required?  YES    NO 
Total Number of Replacement Trees Required: _______  
Total Number of Proposed Trees: _________    On-Site:______Off-Site: ______Tree Fund: ________ 
SKETCH DATA 
Sketch data shall be provided on a clear property survey showing the location of the tree(s) to be removed with 
a DBH of ten (10) inches or greater.  Trees to be removed shall be only those trees necessary to permit the 
construction of buildings or building additions, structures, driveways, septic fields, decks and lawn areas. The 
trees removed shall not constitute more than  60% of the total canopy, one half acre or shall be no more than 
50 percent of the lot size, whicher is less.
Please mark trees to be removed with X and show replacement trees with O or boldface. Attach survey.   
Note manner of off-site tree disposal. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Application checklist:  

$25.00 application fee.  (Fee waived if no permit required).

Mark trees on site to be removed with ribbon or tape for inspection by Borough personnel.

Sketch Data on Property Survey 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Engineering Department 
Permit Date: _______ Permit Expiration Date: _______ Permit Fee:Cash Check#_____________ 
Application Reviewed  by:________________________________________ Date________________  
Field Inspection By:_____________________________________________Date________________  
Field Notes:_______________________________________________________________________  
Application Approval/Denial Date_________Reasons:______________________________________  
Replacement Tree Inspection Date___________  Final Inspection By:_________________________ 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Applicants Signature (I have read and understand the attached Permit Requirements) 
Date 
Final Close Out of Permit: Borough Authorization Signature 
Date 
CC: 
Environmental Commission (if Tree Fund), Tree Removal File, Project/Surface Grading Plan File 


3
Permit Requirements 
Applicability 
On any residential lot that is located in the R-15 zone with a tree removal rate of more than three (3)  
trees with a ten (10) inch DBH or greater in a two (2) year period; or, any residential lot that is located 
in all other residential zones with a tree removal rate of more than six (6) trees with a ten (10) inch 
DBH or greater in a two (2) year period, the property owner shall submit an application for a tree 
removal permit to the Department of Community Services.  The application and development proposal 
shall conform to the provisions contained herein.  
The provisions of this section shall apply to all commercial, industrial and business zoned lots 
excluding major and minor subdivisions and site plans.  Permits are valid for one year from date of 
issue if no building permit is required, otherwise see ordinance for duration of permits. Permits granted 
for the removal of trees under the terms and conditions of this ordinance shall run with the land.  Once 
the permit has expired, a new application must be submitted for review and a new permit issued.   
For complete text refer to Ordinance #14-14, Chapter 299 Trees 
General Guidelines  
Applicant must provide the Tree Service Provider's NJ Board of Tree Experts Registration information 
before a permit may be issued. Also, information must be provided for the Licensed Tree Expert or 
Care Operator that is employed by the Tree Service Provider.
Prior to taking final action upon any application for tree removal, an inspection of the site shall be made 
by the Borough Engineer or his or her designee.   
Prior to any tree removal, all trees planned for removal must be marked and areas to be cleared 
identified for inspection by a municipal representative.  
The Borough Engineer or his or her designee shall periodically inspect the site throughout the duration 
of construction in order to ensure compliance with this ordinance.  Such inspection shall be made of the 
site referred to in the application, and of contiguous and adjoining lands, as well as of lands in the 
vicinity of the application, for the purpose of determining drainage conditions and physical conditions 
existing thereon.  
The Borough official reserves the right to make onsite inspections without prior notification. Permits 
may be denied if inspections cannot be made.   
A plan for tree replacements should be developed before any trees are removed.  Please consider the 
impact of tree removal on privacy screening and erosion in your yard.   
A list of all trees to be removed with a DBH equal to or greater than ten (10) inches identified by size 
and species, including total number of each species to be removed should be shown on the application. 
No more than ten (10) percent of existing trees with a DBH equal to or greater than ten (10) inches 
within the area of development/limit of disturbance shall be removed unless the applicant shall replant 
trees removed in accordance with Section 7 of the Ordinance. 
Purpose for tree removal (construction, building addition, street or roadway, driveway, utility easement, 
recreation area, patio, parking lot, etc.) should be given by the Applicant.  
Other information should be submitted as may be deemed necessary in order to effectively process the 
application.  
Design Requirements 
Trees to be removed shall be only those trees necessary to permit the construction of buildings or 
building additions, structures, driveways, septic fields, decks and lawn areas. The trees removed shall 
not constitue more than one half acre or shall be no more than 50% of the lot size, whichever is less. No 
more than 60% of the existing tree canopy within the property boundaries shall be removed. The 
location of the remaining 40%  of the tree canopy shall be noted on the permit for preservation. 


4
Tree Removal Criteria 
In addition to the design requirements noted above, the Engineering Department may grant a tree 
removal permit based upon one or more of the following circumstances:  

Where the location of an existing tree provides no other alternative but to place a structure
outside the permitted building setbacks.

Where the location of an existing tree negatively impacts on an existing septic field.

Where no other alternative exists for the placement of a building, building addition, structure,
septic field, driveway, deck, patio or lawn area, for the recreational use by the inhabitants of the
building or dwelling, or any other authorized improvements, but in the vicinity of an existing
tree.

Where the location or growth of a tree inhibits the enjoyment of any outdoor pool, patio or
deck.

Where the location, angle or growth of an existing tree makes it a hazard to structures or human
life.
The holder of a tree removal permit shall notify the Engineering Department in writing, by telephone or 
a personal visit, of the intent to remove trees before cutting them down.  This shall be done at least four 
(4) business days in advance of when the tree removal activity will commence.  The notice shall also 
include information as to the manner of disposal of the removed trees.
Penalties 
When regulated trees are removed without a tree removal permit, the affected areas shall be replanted to 
the satisfaction of the Borough Engineer. A $250.00 fine will be imposed for failure to notify the 
Borough Engineer of tree cutting within exception limits.  Further a fine per tree for exceeding the limits 
of cutting within the exception limits for up to and including the allowed number of trees in any and all 
zones in the Borough will be subject to the following fines:  $3000.00 per tree for anything beyond that 
number or for any tree cutting without a permit when a permit is required.  The removal of trees without 
a permit would also require replanting trees in accordance with Section 7 of the ordinance.     
Replacement Trees and Tree Fund 
Replacement tree(s) shall be of nursery grade quality, balled and bur lapped and located on site.    
Where replacement trees are required but not suitable for the particular site prescribed due to the size of 
the site, the Applicant may plant tree replacements off-site on Applicant owned property, off-site on 
Borough owned property or Right-Of-Way pursuant to the Borough's Tree Planting Plan, and upon the 
direction and supervision of the Department of Public Works and/or Borough Engineer; or shall make 
payment to the Tree Fund in accordance with the Tree Replacement Schedule; or any approved 
combination thereof.   Payments to the Tree Fund are $325 per replacement tree.  The Tree Fund shall 
be utilized for planting on public lands, as determined by the Engineering Department and 
Environmental Commission in accordance with standards developed by the Environmental Commission 
or the Borough's Tree Planting Plan.   
The type of replacement tree(s) shall be the same as the species removed from the site or other as 
approved by the Engineering Department in accordance with standards developed by the Environmental 
Commission.  The planting of all replacement trees shall be done by or supervised by a person with 
horticultural training in tree care and planting methods.  
Newly planted replacement trees shall be monitored for a period of one year to ensure the health of the 
trees.  If the replacement trees die within the one year period, the developer/applicant shall replace the 
dead tree.