General Regulations
Property Maintenance
The property maintenance code was established to protect the public health, safety, and welfare of the borough residents. It sets minimum standards for maintenance of your home and grounds, emphasizing safety and cleanliness.
• Property must be free of garbage and debris, dead or dying tree limbs, icy conditions, rodent or insect infestation, and fire hazards.
• Structures must be free of excessive peeling paint, loose roof shingles, broken glass, or crumbling stone.
• Equipment or materials related to commercial or industrial uses may not be stored in public view unless a permit has been granted.
House Numbers
To ensure that emergency vehicles can easily find specific homes, the borough requires house numbers be clearly visible from the road and measure between 4 and 8 inches in height.
Hedges, Shrubbery, and Right-of-Way
For sight line safety reasons, hedges, shrubbery, and other plantings within 10 feet of a roadway and 25 feet of an intersection must be maintained by the homeowner at a height of no more than 2.5 feet, including those in the right-of-way.
The right-of-way is borough-owned property, and includes the paved road surface and that portion of property adjacent to the pavement where underground or overhead utilities and/or fire hydrants may be located.
• Any new planting in the right-of-way requires permission from the borough.
• To avoid damage to vehicles and allow for proper snow removal, no large rocks or boulders are permitted in the right-of-way.
• The width of the right-of-way varies depending on the street; street-specific right-of-way information is posted on the borough website, under the Shade Tree Commission.
Accessory Structures and Fences
Accessory structures are subordinate-use structures such as pergolas, sheds, pools, fences, play equipment, exterior air conditioning units and generators. In general, accessory structures are subject to the same setback requirements as primary structures, and may not be located in the front yard.
• Play equipment must be located at least 10 feet from the rear or side property line, be less than 12 feet in height, and may not be located closer to any street right-of-way than the primary structure (i.e., the house).
• Fencing is permitted only within the building envelope, except in the case of lake front property, where owners may erect a 2- to 3-foot chicken wire fence to discourage geese from coming ashore.
• Stone walls are in keeping with the Hapgood tradition, and so, fall into a special category. Consult the Borough Zoning Officer for direction before installing any type of stone wall.
• For docks and rafts, see Lakes Regulations.
Temporary Signs
Excessive signage can be unsightly, distracting to motorists, and diminish property values. Therefore,
• No signs are allowed on public property.
• Any sign on private property advertising a business or event must be removed upon completion of the advertised service or event.
• Any sign except property identification must be located at least 10 feet from any front lot line or any residence lot line, and is size restricted.
Noise and Alarm Nuisances
Borough regulations aim for respect for your neighbors. Excessive noise (e.g., parties, music) is prohibited, as follows:
• Sunday through Thursday between 10:00pm and 8:00am
• Friday and Saturday between 11:00pm and 9:00am
• Construction noise is prohibited every day between 8:00pm and 8:00am.
False alarms from electronic alarm systems are considered a nuisance, as they unnecessarily consume police resources.
• Frequent false alarms are subject to a fine schedule.
• Homeowners should maintain current alarm service registrations with the police department, to ensure proper notification in the event of alarm activation.
Explosives and Fireworks
It is illegal to discharge any firearm or explosive device within borough limits.
Animal Control
All dogs and cats 7 months of age and older are required to be licensed, with current rabies vaccination on file with the borough.
Dogs are not permitted:
• on beaches, playgrounds, playing fields or non-wooded portions of school property at any time.
• to bark incessantly.
• to damage or destroy the property of others.
Owners must:
• have control of their dogs at all times.
• clean up after their pets on all public property.
Blocking Sidewalks and Roadways
Blockage puts motorists and pedestrians at risk and is prohibited by both borough regulations and State statutes. It is illegal to:
• obstruct the passage of vehicles and pedestrians on streets and sidewalks.
• deposit snow, ice, or yard waste in the street.
Parking Regulations
On-Street Parking:
• Parking is prohibited from November 15 to April 1 between 1:00am and 6:00am to facilitate snow removal.
• Parking is permitted on one side of the street only; homeowners who are entertaining should remind their guests of this restriction.
Train Station Parking:
• Parking permits are required for parking exceeding 3 hours; annual permits are sold at Borough Hall.
Abandoned, Commercial, and Recreational Vehicles
All vehicles on public or private property must be legally registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission.
• Vehicles may not remain inoperable for more than 30 days.
• Commercial vehicles in excess of 6,000 pounds may be parked only in the normal course of business.
• Boats, trailers, and other recreational vehicles under 20 feet in length may be parked in the rear or side yard upon approval by the Planning Board. Those over 20 feet in length may be parked in a driveway for no more than 48 hours.
Speed Limits
Speed limits are strictly enforced for the safety of all those who travel within the borough. Adherence to posted speed limits is especially important for pedestrian safety, because many borough streets do not have sidewalks. Speed limits are as follows:
• Route 46: 45 mph
• Boulevard: 35 mph
• All other borough streets: 25 mph
