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.
Mahwah, NJ
Mahwah Code Ch. BH11 (Sanitation & Miscellaneous Regulations) declares loud and unnecessary noise disturbing the public peace a nuisance prohibited at all ti...
Mahwah, NJ
Mahwah regulates on-street parking through Chapter 7 (Traffic) and Chapter 7A (Traffic Schedules), which set time limits, no-stopping zones, and street-speci...
Mahwah, NJ
Mahwah caps accessory retaining walls behind the front facade at 6 feet and requires construction permits with engineering for taller residential walls.
Mahwah, NJ
Mahwah requires a zoning permit application for all new and replacement fences before installation begins anywhere in the township.
Mahwah, NJ
Mahwah Township limits fences to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards under Chapter 24 zoning rules.
Mahwah, NJ
Mahwah prohibits open burning on public property and requires a permit from the Bureau of Fire Prevention for bonfires, with leaf, rubbish, and waste vegetat...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bergen County.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle composting.
See how Mahwah's composting rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.