Fall can be one of the most breathtaking times of the year in New Jersey.
In the Garden State we see the colors of nature transition to vibrant reds, oranges and yellows as the days get shorter and winter is slowly ushered in. It’s a wonderful sight to see, but foliage eventually scatters and piles up — and someone has to clean it up.
While fall is in full swing and people are bringing out their lawn tools of choice, whether that be a rake or a leaf blower, a question comes to mind for those in close proximity to their neighbors: Do I have to clean up my neighbor’s leaves if they fall onto my property?
What New Jersey law says
While there are no rules on whether you have to clean up your neighbors leaves, most of the time whatever falls on your property is your responsibility ⸺ whether that’s leaves, acorns or even fallen trees, unless your neighbor showed neglect over the tree or it was visibly rotting.
According to FindLaw.com, even if the blown over leaves cause damage to your property like clogging drains or pipes, no legal claims can be made against your neighbor.
Because the wind blows in all directions and no one has control over that, people are expected to take care of what lands on their property in New Jersey, especially “‘”natural matter.”
Thinking of just tossing the leaves back on your neighbors lawn? Think again. Once the leaves fall onto your lawn, gathering them back up and disposing of them on your neighbor’s property can be considered a form of littering or illegal dumping depending on your local ordinances.
Most of the time these matters can be solved through a calm conversation with your neighbor before getting into an unnecessary dispute. Who knows, they might even want their leaves back.
Can I cut hanging tree branches on my property?
The story differs if their tree branches or tree trunk are encroaching upon your property ⸺in that case, you have the legal right to trim the natural material, but only up to the property line.
“Branches, roots, or limbs that cross a boundary line may qualify as a private nuisance,” stated a FindLaw article from earlier this year. As long as you don’t enter their property or damage their tree, trimming hanging branches is legal.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: What can you do about neighbor’s leaves, trees, according to NJ law?
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