Bergen County does not maintain a formal heritage tree registry, but historic and specimen trees on county park land are protected under the Parks System Rules. Many municipalities, including Bergenfield and Woodcliff Lake, designate landmark trees with stricter removal rules and replacement formulas.
While Bergen County itself does not operate a heritage tree program, the Parks System Rules and Regulations protect every tree and shrub on county park properties from damage or removal without written authorization, which functionally protects historic and specimen trees in parks like Van Saun, Tenafly Nature Center adjacent lands, and the New Bridge Landing area. At the municipal level, several Bergen County boroughs designate specific landmark or heritage trees; Bergenfield Chapter 291 and Woodcliff Lake Chapter 355 set diameter thresholds (often 24 inches DBH) for specimen status and require enhanced replacement, sometimes 3:1 or by appraised value. New Jersey also operates a state Big Tree program through the Forest Service.
Damaging a designated heritage tree typically results in restitution at appraised value, plus fines of $1,000 to $2,500 per tree under municipal ordinances.
Fair Lawn, NJ
Fair Lawn requires all private swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least four feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates per the Uniform Cons...
Fair Lawn, NJ
Fair Lawn prohibits barbed wire, electrified, and razor wire fences in residential zones and requires safe, durable materials installed with the finished fac...
Fair Lawn, NJ
Fair Lawn requires a zoning permit before installing or replacing fences, with applications reviewed for height, location, setback, and material compliance u...
Fair Lawn, NJ
Fair Lawn limits fences to four feet in front yards and six feet in side and rear yards within residential zoning districts under the Borough Code.
Fair Lawn, NJ
Fair Lawn regulates the storage and use of liquefied petroleum gas through its fire prevention chapter, adopting Uniform Fire Code limits on cylinder size, l...
Fair Lawn, NJ
Fair Lawn requires every swimming pool, hot tub and spa to be enclosed by a permanent fence or barrier under Borough Code Section 125-38 and the New Jersey a...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Bergen County.
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