Bergen County operates the Bergen County Utilities Authority composting program for yard waste collected by municipalities. Backyard composting is allowed countywide. Commercial-scale composting facilities need NJDEP approval under recycling rules at NJAC 7:26A.
The Bergen County Utilities Authority (BCUA) runs regional yard waste composting at its Moonachie facility, accepting leaves and brush from member municipalities under the county Solid Waste Management Plan. Residents bring food scraps and yard waste to municipal curbside programs or BCUA drop-offs. Backyard composting of yard trimmings and vegetable scraps is permitted under NJDEP's Class A general approval at NJAC 7:26A-3, which exempts small home composting from permits. Composting must not create odors, vectors, or runoff that violates nuisance rules. Open burning of yard waste is prohibited statewide under NJAC 7:27-2. Commercial Class B and C operations need NJDEP recycling approval.
Open burning of yard waste violates NJAC 7:27-2 and can draw NJDEP fines up to $25,000. Nuisance composting can trigger municipal property maintenance citations averaging $100 to $500.
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack City Code Chapter 112 (Noise), adopted by Ordinance No. 07-2018 on April 10, 2018, restricts construction noise audible off-property to 7:00 AM-6:...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack requires all swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates. Requirements follow the New J...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack regulates retaining walls through building and zoning codes. Walls over 4 feet typically require engineered design and a building permit. Walls mu...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack permits common fence materials including wood, vinyl, ornamental metal, and chain link. Barbed wire and electrified fences are prohibited in resid...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack fences must be installed on the owner's property, not on the property line, unless neighbors have a written shared agreement. The finished side ty...
Hackensack, NJ
Hackensack requires a zoning permit and building permit for most new fences and replacements. Applications go through the Building Department, including a su...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bergen County.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle composting.
See how Hackensack's composting rules stack up against other locations.
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