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.
Under Chapter 14, applicants who remove regulated trees must follow the township's Tree Replacement Criteria, providing replacements with equal or greater diameter at breast height to the tree removed. Replacement plantings must be installed within 12 months of removal and must use species typical of mature northern New Jersey forests, including oak, maple, hickory, and other hardwoods. When replacement on site is not feasible, the property owner contributes funds to the Mahwah Tree Bank, an escrow account dedicated to township-wide reforestation. Failure to plant replacements timely is treated as a Chapter 14 violation.
Failure to replace removed trees or pay into the Tree Bank within 12 months may result in fines up to $2,000 per tree and additional enforcement action by the Department of Land Use.
See how other cities in Bergen County handle tree replacement requirements.
See how Mahwah's tree replacement requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.