Rockleigh council adopts restricted‑area penalties ordinance and introduces zoning amendment for single‑family A Zone

The Borough of Rockleigh Mayor and Council adopted Ordinance 2026-3 at the May 4, 2026 meeting to amend the borough’s restricted areas ordinance. The amendment adds a ‘Violations and Penalties’ schedule: $250 for a first offense, $500 for a second, and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. The ordinance was adopted after the required second reading and public hearing; no members of the public spoke on the matter.

Council also conducted the first reading and introduction of Ordinance 2026-6, which amends Chapter 34 (Zoning) to clarify that an A Zone permitted use is a single-family detached dwelling and expressly prohibits boarding or rooming houses in residential districts. During discussion Councilwoman Antine asked whether the zoning ordinance should include specific fines and penalties; Borough Attorney Robert T. Regan advised against embedding fines in the zoning text. Council agreed to draft a separate general ordinance next month to set fines and violations.

Ordinance 2026-6 will be forwarded to the Planning Board for its 35-day review period as required. The council also announced the reappointment of Board of Education member Joella Rakovsky to a five-year term expiring May 15, 2030.

What’s next: the zoning amendment will undergo the Planning Board review window, and the council will prepare a separate ordinance addressing fines and violations as discussed.