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One of the most beautiful parts of Mountain Lakes is the leafy canopy of stately shade trees lining the streets. Did you know that these street trees are actually on Borough-owned land? Every piece of property in Mountain Lakes (without exception) has a certain amount of footage bordering the street that belongs to the Borough. This small slice of land is located within the right of way (ROW), and abuts the curve and goes in towards the homeowner’s property.

The Right of Way actually consists of the roadbed of the street plus a certain footage beyond the edge of the roadbed on either side. The size of each ROW varies widely within the Borough. On some streets it extends 5 feet in from the curve, others as much as 15 feet. This includes the sidewalk and beyond, in sections that do have a sidewalk. How can you find out what the ROW is on your street? Both Borough Hall and the Shade Tree Commission have a complete list of the ROWs. If you have a survey of your property it may be shown there. Also, the tax maps in Borough Hall show the ROWs.

No trees may be removed from the ROW without written permission from the Shade Tree Commission (Article VII sections 102-33 through 102-37 of the Borough Code). Chapter 182 establishes a maximum height of 2 1/2 feet for shrubs in the ROW. Chapter 9-6 also protects street trees during construction by homeowners making improvements on their property. When a homeowner plans a construction project, he is required to protect all the trees in the ROW from injury or destruction.

If a borough tree is in the ROW is in conflict with a homeowner’s construction plan, the homeowner may not remove it without consent of the Borough Manager.

The Shade Tree Commission has completed an inventory of all of the trees located in the ROW of every street in the borough. Each tree is identified by size species and location. Each year the commission identifies trees in need of pruning away hazardous deadwood or dead trees to be removed. Each commissioner is responsible for a section of the borough, we would be happy to hear from you. Please help us save one of the borough’s important resources: the beautiful stately trees that line our streets.

From the Home and School Bulletin, November, 2002