Established in 1931, the Mountain Lakes Planning Board is responsible for managing borough land use, zoning, subdivision and site plan review, and environmental ordinances. It reviews and approves applications for major construction in the Borough and for subdivisions of two or more residential building lots. It adopts a municipal Master Plan to guide the use of lands within the borough in a manner that protects public health and safety and promotes the general welfare. Every six years, the Board reviews and updates the Master Plan
The Planning Board has nine regular members and two alternates. The regular members include the mayor, one other Council member and another borough official (by custom, the Borough Manager). By statute, an Environmental Commission member also serves on the Planning Board. The two alternates are members of the public. Members are appointed by the Council, with the chairman and vice-chairman being chosen by the board itself from among the public member group. Terms of office for public members are four years (two years, for alternates). The Council member and the mayor serve one-year terms; the Council member may be reappointed.
The Planning Board holds open meetings every month on the 4th Thursday at 7:30 PM at Borough Hall.