Hackensack vs Mahwah
How do tree replacement requirements rules compare between Hackensack, NJ and Mahwah, NJ?
Hackensack and Mahwah have similar restriction levels.
Hackensack, NJ
Bergen County
Bergen County does not impose a countywide tree replacement formula on private property. Replacement requirements are set by each municipality and by New Jersey's statewide stormwater rules (N.J.A.C. 7:8) for major development projects, which require tree planting based on disturbed canopy.
View full Hackensack rules →Mahwah, NJ
Bergen County
Mahwah requires replacement trees of equal or greater DBH for every protected tree removed, planted within 12 months, or compensatory payment into the Mahwah Tree Bank escrow account.
View full Mahwah rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hackensack | Mahwah |
|---|---|---|
| County formula | None countywide | - |
| State trigger | Major development under 7:8 | - |
| Common municipal rule | 1 tree per inch DBH | - |
| Cash-in-lieu option | Allowed by many towns | - |
| Park replantings | Done by Land Management | - |
| Replacement DBH | - | Equal or greater than removed |
| Planting deadline | - | Within 12 months |
| Approved species | - | Native northern NJ hardwoods |
| Fee-in-lieu fund | - | Mahwah Tree Bank escrow |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Hackensack FAQ
Does Bergen County require me to replant after taking down a tree?
Not directly. Your municipality's tree ordinance sets replacement requirements. State rules under N.J.A.C. 7:8 add tree replacement obligations for major development across all Bergen County towns.
Can I pay a fee instead of planting replacement trees?
In many Bergen County municipalities, yes. Towns like Glen Rock and Harrington Park accept cash-in-lieu contributions to a municipal tree fund when on-site replanting is impractical.
Mahwah FAQ
Can I pay a fee instead of planting replacement trees in Mahwah?
Yes. Funds collected in lieu of replanting are deposited into the Mahwah Tree Bank, an escrow account used for township-wide tree planting projects.
How quickly must replacement trees be planted after removal?
Replacement trees must be planted within 12 months of the original tree's removal date, using species approved under Chapter 14 standards.
Do replacements need to match the size of the removed tree?
Replacements must have equal or greater DBH than the removed tree, or meet the alternative Tree Replacement Criteria detailed in Chapter 14.
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