The Borough of Riverton recently adopted an ordinance regulating the removal and replacement of trees located on private property. Chapter 120 of the Borough of Riverton’s Code addresses trees. Here is what Riverton requires to remove a tree:
Tree Removal Application Process
- Any person planning to remove any non-street tree with a DBH of 35” or more on their property shall submit a Tree Removal Application to the Construction Office. No tree shall be removed until municipal officials have reviewed and approved the removal.
- Tree removal permits shall be issued by the Construction Office or his or her designee. The application shall be in a form specified by the Shade Tree Board or his or her designee and shall contain:
- The name and address of the owner of the lands upon which the trees or shrubs sought to be removed are located;
- The authority of the person, corporation, or entity applying for the permit to remove the trees or shrubs;
- The type, size, and location of the trees or shrubs sought to be removed.
- The application shall contain such additional information, surveys, plans, or certifications as may be required by the Borough.
- No trees shall be removed until municipal officials have reviewed and approved the removal.
Fees
The application fee shall be $25.00 for each tree to be removed.
Tree Replacement Requirements
- Replacement tree(s) shall be replaced in kind with a tree that has an equal or greater DBH than the tree removed or meets the Tree Replacement Criteria.
- Replacement trees shall be planted within twelve (12) months of the date of removal of the original tree or at an alternative date specified by the Borough.
- Replacement tree(s) shall be monitored by the applicant for a period of two (2) years to ensure their survival and shall be replaced as needed within twelve (12) months.
- Trees planted in temporary containers or pots do not count toward tree replacement requirements.
Tree Replacement Requirements Table
| Category | Tree Remove (DBH) | Required Action |
| 1 | DBH of 35” or greater | Replant one (1) tree with minimum DBHs of 2.5” for each tree removed |
Tree Replacement Alternatives
- If the Borough determines that some all of required replacement trees cannot be planted on the property where the tree removal activity occurred, then the applicant shall do one of the following:
- Plan replacement trees in a separate area approved by the Borough.
- Pay a fee set by the Borough per tree removed that will be placed into the Shade Tree Fund.
Exemptions
The Borough of Riverton exempts the following from the tree replacement requirements:
- Tree farms in active operation, nurseries, fruit orchards, and garden centers;
- Properties used for the practice of silviculture under an approved forest stewardship or woodland management plan that is active and on file with the Borough;
- Any trees removed as part of a municipal or state decommissioning plan.
- Any trees removed pursuant to a New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) or US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved environmental clean-up, or NJDEP approved habitat enhancement plan;
- Approved game management practices, as recommended by the NJDEP, Division of Fish, Game, and Wildlife;
- Hazard trees may be removed with no fee or replacement requirement;
- Any tree located on publicly owned land and removed by the Borough or its representatives;
