Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Summit Transfer Station is the trash & recycling center and leaf compost area. It is located at 40 New Providence Avenue. The hours of operation are Tuesday - Friday, 7:30 AM - 3:45 PM, and on Saturday from 7:30 AM - 4:45 PM. The Transfer Station is closed on Sundays, Mondays and all holidays that the City of Summit observes. If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Community Services at 908-273-6404. More information is available at cityofsummit.org/transferstation.

Dial-A-Truck is a bulky waste collection service offered by the Department of Community Services Public Works Division. Every three weeks the City collects items that are too bulky or too heavy for residents to take to the Transfer Station. They include items such as mattresses, large pieces of furniture, appliances, boilers and/or water heaters. Bags or boxes of items, construction material, railroad ties, car parts, furnace, heating boilers, or hazardous materials are prohibited. Due to the bedbug outbreak, mattresses and box springs must be enclosed and sealed in plastic. These plastic bags can be purchased from your local hardware store. The Dial-A-Truck service must be scheduled with the Department of Community Services at 908-273-6404. More information is available at cityofsummit.org/dialatruck.

Summit Free Market events are held on the second Saturday of each month from 8AM to 3PM at the Transfer Station. Click here to view more information on the program including the schedule of events. 

Trash is collected weekly on your regular trash day (PDF). With any questions, please contact the Department of Community Services at 908-273-6404.

FEMA flood map information is available here.

The Transfer Station and Compost and Recycling Center is for Summit residents – you must reside at your Summit address. If it is a rental property, the tenant may apply for a permit to use the facilities; the owner is considered to be in business and must purchase a coupon from the Department of Community Services to use the facilities.

Effective July 1, 2022 curbside recycling is now single stream; items do not have to be separated. Paper/carboard items can be mixed in the same container(s) as glass/plastic items. Items can be placed in more than one container at the curb. The Recycling Flyer (PDF) contains information regarding what can be recycled curbside and at the Transfer Station. Place recycling curbside the night before or by 6AM on your collection day.

Pickup is no longer on Thursday citywide; it is now on the same day as residents' weekly trash collection. View the trash collection schedule here. There is no change to how trash collection operates.

When recycling collection falls on a holiday, every pickup that week after the holiday will be pushed to the next day. View the holiday recycling schedule here.

Glass, metal items, plastic marked 1, 2, and 5, mixed paper and carboard can be combined together. Items should be placed in a water-tight, covered bin(s). Wet paper and cardboard cannot be recycled and will not be accepted.

Missed recycling collections can be reported online for the fastest service using Report-A-Concern or by calling (908)-273-6404 during business hours. After reporting a missed pickup (phone or web), leave recycling in your pickup location. Missed collections take place the next day. 

Plastic bags are not accepted as recyclable material at this time nor should recycling materials be placed in plastic bags and left at the curb for collection.

View a list of acceptable items for recycling here.

A digital permit is required to enter. Purchase a permit here, after creating a personal account and uploading a scanned copy of your vehicle registration. More information on digital permits is available here.

Residents borrowing vehicles need to obtain a temporary pass, available at City Hall, Department of Community Services, second floor to fill out a form. You must know the following information on the borrowed vehicle: Make, model, color, license plate number, year, state vehicle is registered in, the name of the person driving the vehicle and if it is a commercial or private vehicle. Building materials will be accepted at the transfer station from the homeowner only, in limited quantities not in excess of 40 gallons per trip. Building materials are never accepted from contractors. NO HAZARDOUS MATERIALS accepted! Union County hosts Household Hazardous Waste collection events at various locations, three to four times a year so that you may dispose of your hazardous materials (program info here).

You as the resident homeowner are allowed to use the facility with the proper permit. Your landscaper is not allowed to use the facility at no charge. It is a business and must purchase coupons available at the Department of Community Services in City Hall.

If your trash was not picked up by noon on the day of pick-up, please call 908-273-6404 or visit the Department of Community Services (DCS) counter on the second (2nd) floor of City Hall at 512 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Department of Community Services (DCS) counter hours are 7 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Friday.

Use the Report a Concern tool on cityofsummit.org or call the Department of Community Services at 908-273-6404. For the non-collection of materials, a notice/sticker should be provided by the vendor with a reason. Missed collections reported by phone or the Report a Concern tool are collected the next day. 

Your weekly household trash collection day depends on where you live in Summit. View the collection schedule here. Trash is still collected on holidays. Trash should not be brought to the curb. It should be left up your driveway or near your garage. Please clear a path for crews to access trash containers. If containers are not accessible, crews will not remove trash. Bagged trash should be placed in your trash receptacle by or before 6AM on the day of collection. Garbage cans must be watertight metal or plastic cans with tight-fitting lids and must not weigh more than 75 pounds each. Crews will collect up to a maximum of four (4) 20-gallon cans per unit. Missed trash collections can be reported online for the fastest service using Report-A-Concern or by calling (908)-273-6404 during business hours.

Thank you for contacting the City of Summit Construction Office in the Department of Community Services (DCS). You must have your construction permit number to schedule an inspection. Inspections can be scheduled online or in person and always in writing. Please call 908-273-6408 or visit the DCS counter on the second (2nd) floor of City Hall at 512 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ, from 7AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.

• Visit www.cityofsummit.org/online to book an inspection online
• Visit our City Hall counter during business hours to complete written request form

Summer hours

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the hours for the DCS counter to schedule an inspection are 7AM - 4:30PM Monday through Thursday, and 7AM - 1PM on Friday.

• Visit www.cityofsummit.org/online to book an inspection online
• Visit our City Hall counter during business hours to complete written request form

Thank you for contacting the City of Summit Construction Office in the Department of Community Services (DCS). You must have your construction permit number to schedule an inspection. Inspections can be scheduled online or in person and always in writing. Please call 908-273-6408 or visit the DCS counter on the second (2nd) floor of City Hall at 512 Springfield Avenue, Summit, NJ, from 7AM to 4:30PM, Monday through Friday.

• Visit www.cityofsummit.org/online to book an inspection online
• Visit our City Hall counter during business hours to complete written request form

Summer hours

Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the hours for the DCS counter to schedule an inspection are 7AM - 4:30PM Monday through Thursday, and 7AM - 1PM on Friday.

• Visit www.cityofsummit.org/online to book an inspection online
• Visit our City Hall counter during business hours to complete written request form

Construction work involving noise may occur between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Sundays. Suspected infractions are reported to the Summit Police Department.

A construction permit application requires a property survey when you are doing any outside work and three (3) copies of the survey must be submitted.  Please review our Land Survey FAQ to learn more.

Payment at street meters is required Monday through Saturday from 8AM to 6PM. All street meters are free after 6PM. and all day on Sunday. Fees are posted on meters. All meters accept coins and the Summit Smart Card. Meter feeding and meter jumping is prohibited. View fees and information on

Resident Daily & Overnight and downtown employees require a permit to park in Summit. Public ParkingOvernight ParkingEmployee Parking

Call 911 for anything related to an emergency such as: •a crime that is occurring now •a car crash •a possible drunk driver •life threatening medical emergencies Call 908-273-0051 for all non-emergency related calls such as: •offenses that occurred in the past •non-life threatening traffic concerns •non urgent requests for police service

To report downed trees contact Summit's Community Services Dept. 908-273-6404.

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A tree removal permit is required for the removal of a tree with a diameter of 12 inches or greater. All fees will be assigned once your permit is approved. There is a fixed fee of $50.00 plus $25.00 for each applicable tree. For more information view the Tree Removal Permit Application.

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The Division of Public Works is responsible for clearing snow and ice from 66 miles of city streets and roads. Owners are responsible for clearing snow and ice from sidewalks in front of their property. Snow and ice must be removed from all sidewalks adjacent to properties without delay but not more than 24 hours after a snowfall or icing condition. A four-foot passageway must be maintained. For more information, view the Snow Guidelines. 

Please go to the Clerks ordinance database to find the most recent updates to City ordinances including information regarding the noise ordinance. 

If you are a Summit-based, bona fide non-profit organization with 501(c)3 status, you may complete and submit a property use application to the City Clerk’s Office . There may be fees associated with this application.

The City Clerk’s office administers the applications. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact us at 908-273-6400.

The City Clerk’s office administers the applications. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 908-273-6400 for more information or if you have any questions. Limousine Driver Application

Limousine Owner Application

Taxi Driver Application

Taxi Owner Application

An application to receive a certified copy of any vital record must be completed and accompanied by valid acceptable identification and payment. Please click on the link below for the application. See identification requirements and fee schedule listed in the FAQs section. 

Reg-37a

Reg-37b Español

No, it is the administrative policy of the State Office of Vital Statistics that vital record information is not to be given out over the phone.

Parents should wait at least 10 business days from the date of birth. It is highly recommended to mail the application along with a copy of your valid acceptable identification and payment (see below). 

No, requests can only be made by in-person or by mail. In-person requests are processed as they are received. Requests made by mail are processed within 3-5 business days, based upon number of requests received.

-Valid driver's license with current address 

OR 

-Two alternate forms of identification, both must show the current address. Alternate forms of identification must be VALID. We do not accept any expired identification. 

-Vehicle registration 

-Vehicle insurance card 

-Voter registration 

-US/Foreign passport 

-Immigrant visa 

-Permanent resident card (Green Card) 

-Federal/State ID 

-School ID (Must contain student's name and current school year) 

-Utility bill (dated within previous 90 days) 

-Bank statement (dated within previous 90 days) 

-W-2 current or previous tax year 

We DO NOT accept: 

-Social security card 

-A last will and testament 

-Tax return

People who are homeless should have their social worker or homeless shelter coordinator call our office directly. People who are incarcerated can provide legal imprisonment, conviction papers or release documents that include the name, social security number and all possible aliases used in the past or identification from a prison/probation official dated within 90 days. Please do not mail in original identification documents, only copies are required. In person orders must present original identification.

Your own birth certificate: your valid identification is acceptable; however, if you have assumed your spouse/civil union partner's surname or have had a legal name change, provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate or court order to link the name on your current ID to the name on your birth certificate. 

Your child's birth certificate: if the name on your identification matches the name of the child's parent then your identification will establish your relationship. If your current name does not match the name as recorded on the birth certificate, as the parent, you will need to supply a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate or proof of legal name change. 

Your spouse/civil union partner: provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate. 

Your parent or sibling's vital record: provide a copy of YOUR birth certificate with parents' names. If your current name does not match the name as recorded on the birth certificate, you will need to supply a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate or proof of legal name change. 

Your grandparent's vital record: you must establish that you are the person's grandchild by linking the name on your identification to the name of the grandparent. For example, if you changed your last name after marriage/civil union and want a grandparent's vital record, you must: 1.) Provide your marriage/civil union certificate to show your name at birth 2.) Provide your LONG FORM birth certificate to identify your parent 3.) Provide the parent's LONG FORM birth certificate to identify the grandparent. 

Death Certificate: To get a certified copy you must provide proof of your relationship to the person listed on the vital record and the proof must establish you are one of the following: 

•The subject’s parent/sibling/spouse/child/grandchild 

•You must be 18 years or older 

•If your name has changed due to marriage, you must provide a raised seal marriage certificate issued only by a Registrar/Clerk to trace you back to your maiden name. Certificates issued by an Officiant/religious entity are not legal documents therefore, are unacceptable 

•If your name has changed due to a legal name change, you must provide the court order as proof 

•IF THE DECEDENT NAME HAS CHANGED DUE TO MARRIAGE, their marriage certificate would also be needed. If the decedent was married more than once, you must provide all marriage certificates necessary to trace the decedent back to their maiden name

 If you are looking for a certified copy of a record and are... 

An executor of an estate you must supply proof of appointment as the executor by providing a surrogate certificate dated within the past year. 

The legal representative of the executor of an estate must supply proof of legal retainer by the executor and proof of the appointment of the individual as the executor.

The legal representative of an individual that is eligible to receive a certified copy of a vital record must supply proof of legal retainer by the eligible individual and their proof of relationship.

Fee Schedule (Effective May 30, 2019) 

CASHIER'S CHECK ONLY made payable to "City of Summit" in the exact amount

Cash payments are ONLY received in-person at the office counter and must be in the exact amount

No refunds 

Birth Certificate................................................................................................. $20.00 

Death Certificate............................................................................................... $10.00 

Marriage Certificate.......................................................................................... $20.00 

Civil Union Certificate........................................................................................ $20.00 

Domestic Partnership Certificate...................................................................... $20.00 

Application Fee for Marriage/Civil Union License (Appointment only).............. $28.00 

Domestic Partnership Registration (Appointment only).................................... $28.00 

Fee to Amend a Vital Record (Appointment only)............................................. $50.00

As the eligible requestor, you must complete two forms. The REG 37a (application requesting a certified copy) and the REG 2 (delegating authority to someone to receive certified copy on your behalf) which must be notarized. The authorized individual must present their own valid ID. As the person making the request you must prove your relationship to the individual named on the record you are obtaining. The authorized individual must also present your proof of relationship and provide payment. Please see how to prove your relationship in the FAQ section. 

Reg 37a / Reg 2 For BIRTH/DEATH Records / Reg 3 For MARRIAGE/CIVIL UNION Records

Reg 37b Español

The City of Summit uses Animal Control Solutions for animal control. They can be reached at 908-722-1271. 

Lead is a toxic, naturally occurring element and heavy metal in our environment that was widely used in commercial products such as gasoline, paint, cosmetics, spices, and pottery. Lead exposure in children can cause nervous system and kidney damage, as well as learning disabilities, attention-deficit disorder, and decreased intelligence. It can also cause behavior, speech, and language problems, hearing damage, decreased muscle and bone growth, and poor muscle coordination.

All single-family, two-family, and multiple rental dwellings must be inspected. The following dwellings are exempt:

• Dwellings that were constructed during or after 1978.
• Single-family and two-family seasonal rental dwellings which are rented for less than six-months duration each year by tenants that do not have consecutive lease renewals.
• Dwellings that have been certified to be free of lead-based paint pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:17-3.16(b).
• Multiple rental dwellings that have been registered with the Department of Community Affairs for at least ten years and have no outstanding lead violations from the most recent cyclical inspection performed on the multiple dwelling under the “Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law” (N.J.S.A. 55:13A-1).
  • This means that all multiple dwellings constructed prior to 1978 and registered with the Department for at least ten years that have a certificate of inspection issued by the Department of Community Affairs, Bureau of Housing Inspection, are exempt from this requirement.
  • A multiple dwelling that has been registered with the Department for at least ten years with an open inspection that has no violations for paint is also exempt from this requirement.

Dwellings with a valid lead-safe certificate issued pursuant to this law, P.L.2021, c.182. Lead-safe certificates are valid for two years from the date of issuance.

If lead-based paint hazards are identified, then the owner of the dwelling shall remediate the hazards through abatement or lead-based paint hazard control mechanisms. Property owners must also report all tenant turnover activity to the municipality. Lastly, property owners must provide a copy of N.J.A.C. 5:28A, any lead-safe certifications, and the accompanying guidance document, Lead-Based Paint in Rental Dwellings, to any prospective owners of the dwelling during the real estate transaction, settlement, or closing.

The law imposes an obligation on municipalities to perform or hire a certified lead evaluation contractor to perform inspections of certain single-family, two-family, and multiple rental dwellings for lead-based paint hazards every three years or upon tenant turnover where there is no valid lead-safe certification. Municipalities must permit dwelling owners/landlords to directly hire a certified lead evaluation contractor for this purpose.

If the dwelling owner has not cured the violation within 30 days, the owner shall be subject to a penalty not to exceed $1,000 per week until the required inspection has been conducted or remediation efforts have been initiated.

If the municipality has not cured the violation within 30 days, they shall be subject to a penalty not to exceed $1,000 per week until the necessary action has been taken.

Municipalities are authorized to conduct investigations and issue penalties to enforce a property owner’s failure to comply with the requirements of P.L.2021, c.182. If a municipality determines that a property owner has failed to comply with the requirements of this law, the property owner must be given 30 days to cure any violation by ordering the necessary inspection or by initiating remediation.

When a complaint is filed with the Department of Community Affairs, or of the Commissioner’s own accord, the Commissioner is authorized to conduct investigations and issue penalties against a municipality for its failure to comply with the requirements of P.L.2021, c.182. The Department will give the municipality 30 days to undertake necessary inspections and provide proof in the form of valid lead-safe certifications or notification that lead-based paint hazards exist in a dwelling.

Lead-based paint is usually not a hazard if it is in good condition, and the paint is not on an impact or friction surface, such as a window. Deteriorating lead-based paint (peeling, chipping, chalking, cracking, or damaged paint) is a hazard and needs attention. Lead dust can form when lead-based paint is scraped, sanded, or heated. Dust also forms when painted surfaces bump or rub together. Lead chips and dust can reside on surfaces and objects that people touch.

For dwellings located in a municipality in which less than three percent of children tested, six years of age or younger, have a blood lead level greater than or equal to five micrograms per deciliter, the inspection may be carried out through visual inspection.

For dwellings located in a municipality in which at least three percent of children tested, six years of age or younger, have a blood lead level greater than or equal to five micrograms per deciliter, the inspection must be carried out through dust wipe sampling.

All rental dwelling units required to be inspected must be inspected for lead-based paint within two years of the effective date of the law, July 22, 2022, or upon tenant turnover, whichever is earlier. This means that the first inspection must take place no later than July 22, 2024.

After the initial inspection, all units shall be inspected for lead-based paint hazards every three years, or upon tenant turnover, whichever is earlier. An inspection upon tenant turnover is not required if the owner has a valid lead-safe certificate. Lead-safe certificates are valid for two years. If the lead-safe certificate has expired, and there will be a tenant turnover, an inspection will be necessary before the three-year inspection.

In all scenarios, the next inspection should be scheduled three years from the date of issuance of the most recent valid lead-safe certification.

Dust wipe sampling is collected by wiping a representative surface, including floors (both carpeted and uncarpeted), interior windowsills, and other similar surfaces, and testing in accordance with a method approved by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These samples must be undertaken properly to ensure that results are accurate.

A visual assessment is an examination of all painted building components for deteriorated paint or visible surface dust, debris, or residue. The inspector should also look for paint chips or dust from painting activities that were not cleaned up and paint residue on floors.

Interim controls are a set of measures designed to reduce temporarily human exposure or likely exposure to lead-based paint hazards, including specialized cleaning, repairs, maintenance, painting, temporary containment, ongoing monitoring of lead-based paint hazards or potential hazards.

Lead abatement is a set of measures designed to permanently eliminate lead-based paint hazards.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs certifies lead evaluation contractors. The New Jersey Department of Health licenses individual lead inspectors and risk assessors.

The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs certifies lead abatement contractors; the New Jersey Department of Health licenses individual lead abatement workers; the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certifies Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) contractors. These firms are certified to perform RRP projects that address lead-based paint in homes.

Municipalities must maintain a record of all dwellings subject to this Chapter which shall include up-to-date information on inspection schedules, inspection results, and tenant turnover.   Municipalities must also maintain a record of all lead-safe certifications issued pursuant to this Chapter; any time a lead evaluation contractor performs the inspection, the lead evaluation contractor must provide a copy of any lead-safe certifications issued to the municipality. Finally, municipalities must maintain a record of all lead-free certifications issued pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:17.