Tree work in Fair Lawn
Fair Lawn is a dense borough of 1940s and 50s capes and split-levels on small lots, with the Radburn section's famous planned greens and big street trees, and the Passaic River and Saddle River edges where trees grow fast and fall in storms.
Two Fair Lawn specifics catch people: the permit needs a survey with the trees marked on it (dig out your closing documents), and tree companies have to be registered with the Borough Clerk. A crew that regularly works Fair Lawn will have both handled.
Do you need a permit to remove a tree in Fair Lawn?
Permit and fees: Fair Lawn requires a Tree Removal Permit (application on fairlawn.org) for regulated trees, submitted to the Shade Tree Division of Public Works. The application asks for a survey marking the location, size and species of each tree, and trees to be removed must be marked with ribbon for the inspection. The Borough ordinance sets replacement requirements and removal permit fees by trunk diameter (its Table 2-1); residents report fees in the $25 to $200 range depending on size. The ordinance carries real penalties for cutting without a permit.
Street trees are Borough property, cared for and removed only by the Shade Tree Division. Residents can request a street tree planting through the DPW.
Tree services must register with the Fair Lawn Municipal Clerk before working in the Borough (there is a Tree Service registration form). Ask your contractor whether they are registered in Fair Lawn.
Where to ask: Shade Tree Division, Fair Lawn DPW, 201-794-5304 or 201-794-5326.
Source: fairlawn.org Shade Tree Division page and Tree Removal Permit Application, and the Borough's tree ordinance (ecode360), read October 2026. The exact fee for your tree depends on its diameter; confirm with the Borough.
What it costs in Fair Lawn (2026)
| Job | Typical NJ price |
|---|---|
| Small tree, under 30 ft | $200 – $600 |
| Medium tree, 30 – 60 ft | $500 – $1,500 |
| Large tree, 60 – 80 ft | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Crane removal over a house | $2,500 – $3,500+ |
| Tree trimming, mature tree | $450 – $700 |
| Stump grinding | $100 – $500 per stump |
Cost ranges are published 2026 New Jersey industry figures (tanddtree.com and treecostremovalcalculator.com NJ guides), not quotes from this site. Your price depends on the tree, access and your town.
Services in Fair Lawn
Tree removal
Dead, hazardous, storm-damaged or unwanted trees, including crane removals.
Emergency tree service
Trees on houses, cars and driveways after a storm.
Tree trimming
Deadwooding, raising limbs off the roof, thinning and cabling.
Stump grinding
Grind old stumps below grade so the lawn can come back.
How it works
- Tell us about the job. Your town, what you need, and a photo if you have one. Takes about a minute.
- We match you with a local tree pro. An independent Bergen County tree care company that is registered with the NJ Board of Tree Experts and insured, and that actually serves your town.
- Get a free on-site quote. The company contacts you directly, looks at the tree and gives you a written price. No obligation, and you deal with them from there.
Fair Lawn questions
How much does tree removal cost in Fair Lawn, NJ?
The same ranges as the rest of Bergen County: small trees from about $200 to $600, mature trees $500 to $2,500, and crane jobs over a house $2,500 and up, with stump grinding $100 to $500 per stump (published 2026 NJ industry figures). Fair Lawn's lot sizes and access are what move a specific quote.
Do I need a permit to remove a tree in Fair Lawn?
For most trees over the diameter threshold, yes, or at minimum a notice or application. The rules are summarized above with the Borough's contact; dead and hazardous trees are usually handled faster. Street trees always belong to the town.
Are the tree companies licensed?
We only refer to companies registered with the New Jersey Board of Tree Experts, which requires a Licensed Tree Expert or Licensed Tree Care Operator on staff and liability insurance. Ask for the registration number before work starts.