Last updated July 2026
Yes — in most cases. Toms River Township requires a Tree Removal Permit before you remove any tree with a trunk diameter over 4 inches (measured at breast height) on a residential lot. The rule comes from the township’s Woodlands Management ordinance (Chapter 348, Article XII of the Township Code), which also serves as Toms River’s state-mandated tree removal and replacement ordinance under New Jersey’s stormwater rules.
Here’s what Toms River homeowners — and the HOA boards and property managers responsible for community trees — need to know before the chainsaw comes out.
The ordinance exempts verifiably dead, dying, and hazardous trees. But the township’s own FAQ asks homeowners to file the permit anyway — the $75 fee is waived for dead trees if you provide photos or documentation from a Licensed Tree Expert or Certified Arborist. Filing the free permit protects you if a code officer or neighbor asks questions later. Our crew photographs every dead tree before removal for exactly this reason.
On a residential lot: fines up to $100 for a first offense and up to $500 for each additional offense — and every tree counts as a separate violation. The township can also require replacement plantings and issue stop-work orders. Larger clearings face fines up to $1,000+ per tree.
Routine single-tree homeowner permits usually don’t trigger replanting, but larger removals under a Tree Management Plan follow a sliding scale — a tree over 16” diameter can require 4 or more replacement trees, or a $300-per-tree payment into the township tree fund.
Trees that are severely storm-damaged or an obvious immediate hazard can come down without waiting — the exemption covers “verifiably dead, dying or diseased trees” and “any tree obviously at risk.” Document everything with photos first, and file the fee-waived permit after. If a tree is leaning over your house after a storm, request an estimate through our form and mark it urgent — we handle the documentation as part of every emergency job.
If the tree is near utility lines, JCP&L must be notified before work begins. Never attempt these yourself.
Toms River’s adult communities hold thousands of trees on common property, and the ordinance applies there too. Multi-tree removal projects can cross the 10-tree threshold that triggers Township Forester review, and large scopes may fall under Tree Management Plan requirements, including replacement plantings. Build the permit timeline into your project schedule — and get the tree inventory, photos, and survey documentation assembled before the application goes in. We prepare that documentation as part of any community proposal.
Who issues tree removal permits in Toms River? The Division of Planning & Zoning at 33 Washington Street, with review by the Township Forester for larger applications. Call 732-341-1000.
How much is a tree removal permit in Toms River? $75 — free for documented dead trees.
Can I remove a small tree without a permit? Yes, trees with a trunk diameter of 4 inches or less on an existing residential lot are exempt.
Does my tree service need anything special to work in Toms River? Companies working on township shade or park trees need township permission and $1M liability insurance. Statewide, New Jersey requires tree care businesses to register with the NJ Board of Tree Experts — we work with registered, insured crews.
What about Beachwood, Berkeley Township, or South Toms River? Each town has its own ordinance — rules differ even between neighboring towns. Request your free estimate with your address and we’ll tell you exactly what applies before any work begins.
This guide summarizes Toms River Township Code Chapter 348, Article XII (Woodlands Management) and official township guidance as of July 2026. It is not legal advice — confirm current requirements with the township at 732-341-1000.
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