Borough of Saddle River

Planning Board

The Planning Board hears soil relocation, subdivision, site plan and sign applications and prepares the Borough’s Master Plan under the Municipal Land Use Law and Chapter 37 of the Borough Code. Open your application below for its fees, deposits, deadlines and form.

Moving soil? Start here The most common application Meeting dates Agendas, minutes and notices

Find Your Application

Open the application that matches your project. Each one lists its fees, deposits, deadlines and form. Every application the Board hears then follows the same steps from filing to decision.

Soil Most common

Soil Relocation

Any job that moves soil. Find your path by volume.

Every soil job starts with Building/Construction, which works with the Borough Engineer to decide whether you need a permit, an engineering review or a Planning Board referral under Chapter 183, Soil Relocation.

  • Under 50 cubic yardsNo Planning Board review. Building/Construction confirms whether a permit is needed.
  • Over 50, under 500The Borough Engineer reviews the application and sets the deposit.
  • Over 500 cubic yardsThe Planning Board holds a hearing and sends written recommendations to the Mayor and Council, who decide. The same path applies to any other Chapter 183 condition that calls for Board review.

At exactly 50 or exactly 500 cubic yards, Building/Construction and the Borough Engineer confirm which path applies.

Start with
Building/Construction, (201) 327-2609, ext. 235 or 245
Planning Board fee
$400 plus $0.05 per cubic yard (800 cubic yards: $440)
Planning Board escrow
$5,000 initial deposit
Performance guarantee
As may be required

Exceptions. Chapter 183 excepts soil moved to build a building or other structure, a private driveway or a septic system, and soil moved under a major subdivision map the Board approved, unless the work would change the natural flow or level of a brook, stream, pond or other watercourse.

Trees. Chapter 183 treats removing more than four trees over eight inches in diameter as stripping the land of the vegetation that prevents erosion, so include any tree removal when you contact Building/Construction. A County soil erosion certification may also apply; see other approvals.

Start with Building/Construction Soil-movement intake and routing
Subdivision

Minor Subdivision

Up to four lots on an existing street.

For no more than four lots, counting the original lot, fronting an existing improved street, with no new street, no extension of municipal facilities and no off-tract improvements. The plan must not harm development of the rest of the parcel or adjoining property, or conflict with the Master Plan, the Official Map, Chapter 210, Zoning, or Chapter 195, Subdivision of Land.

Application fee
$500 plus $250 per lot
Escrow
$2,000 initial deposit; keep at least $1,000 during review
Performance guarantee
As may be required
Board decision
Within 45 days

After approval. Within 190 days, file a plat that meets the Map Filing Law, or a deed describing the subdivision, with the County Recording Officer, the Borough Engineer and the Tax Assessor. The Board Chair and Secretary must sign it first. Otherwise the approval expires.

Download Minor Subdivision Application (PDF) Application packet
Subdivision

Major Subdivision

Five or more lots, or a new street or public improvements.

Any subdivision that is not minor, including five or more lots or any subdivision needing a new street, an extension of municipal facilities or off-tract improvements. Reviewed in two stages, preliminary approval and then final approval, under Chapter 195.

Application fee
$1,000 plus $250 per lot
Escrow
$2,000 initial deposit; keep at least $1,000 during review
Performance guarantee
Up to 120% of the estimated cost of improvements
Board decision
Preliminary: 45 days for 10 lots or fewer, 95 days for more. Final: 45 days.

After final approval. Record the signed plat with the County Recording Officer within 95 days of signing or the approval expires. For good cause, the Board may extend that to no more than 190 days from signing.

Download Major Subdivision Application (PDF) Application packet
Subdivision

Lot Consolidation

Combining two or more lots into one.

Combines two or more existing lots into a single lot, listed as a reverse subdivision on the fee schedule. There is no separate form: file the Minor Subdivision application and write “Lot consolidation” on its first page.

Application fee
$150
Escrow
$500 initial deposit
Performance guarantee
As may be required
Form
Minor Subdivision application, marked as a lot consolidation
Download Minor Subdivision Application (PDF) Mark it as a lot consolidation
Site Plan

Site Plan (Preliminary and Final)

Business-zone and nonresidential buildings, additions and new uses.

Required before a building permit for a new building or addition in the B-1 Retail Business Zone or for any nonresidential use in a residential zone, and before a certificate of occupancy for a new use in an existing building in the B-1 or O-1 Office Zone. The approval must be granted within one year before the building permit application, unless the Board allows longer by resolution. See Chapter 179, Site Plan Review.

Application fee
$500
Escrow
$5,000 initial deposit; keep at least $2,000 during review
Performance guarantee
Up to 120% of the estimated cost of improvements
Board decision
Preliminary: 45 days for 10 acres and 10 units or fewer, 95 days for larger. Final: 45 days.

What to file. The original and 15 copies of the application form, a tracing and 15 copies of the site plan, and the completed checklist. The Borough Board of Health must certify the sanitary system design before the Board can grant approval.

Download Site Plan Application (PDF) Application packet
Site Plan

Waiver of Site Plan

Asking the Board to waive site plan review.

Asks the Board to waive site plan review. Filing does not itself waive review: the Board decides whether to grant the waiver or require a full Site Plan application.

Application fee
$100
Escrow
None unless requested
Performance guarantee
Not applicable
If review is required
File the Site Plan application
Download Site Plan Waiver Application (PDF) Application packet
Signs

Planning Board Sign Review

A sign the Construction Official found noncompliant.

Apply for the sign permit with the Construction Official first (§ 175-8). If the sign does not comply with Chapter 175, Signs, ask the Construction Official in writing to refer it to the Planning Board (§ 175-9), then file this application. The Board weighs the extent of the noncompliance, the effect on nearby property values and how the sign fits nearby signs and architecture. Its written decision binds the Construction Official.

Application fee
$200, separate from the Building sign-permit fee
Escrow
$1,000 initial deposit
Performance guarantee
As may be required
Starts with
The Construction Official’s sign permit review
Download Sign Review Application (PDF) File after the Construction Official refers the sign

Not on This List?

Some matters go to the Zoning Board of Adjustment instead. Filing with the wrong board delays review and may require a new filing.

Planning Board also hears

Conditional uses under Chapter 210 (decision within 95 days), and bulk variances (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-70c) requested with one of its own applications under § 37-12C(8) (decision within 120 days). Lot-area relief is limited to one lot.

Zoning Board hears

Use variances (40:55D-70d), bulk variances not tied to a Planning Board application, and appeals of Zoning Officer decisions. See the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

From Filing to Decision

These steps apply to every application the Planning Board hears.

  1. File

    Deliver the application packet, the completed checklist (subdivision and site plan, § 37-13), the fee and the escrow deposit to the Board Secretary at least four weeks before the meeting you want. Larger applications need more time.

  2. Completeness review

    The Board Engineer and Landscape Architect review it and tell you in writing what is missing. If it is not certified complete within 45 days and you were not told of missing checklist items, it is deemed complete. Decision deadlines run from that date unless you agree to an extension.

  3. Hearing date

    Once your application is complete, the Board Secretary sends your hearing date and written notice instructions, including whether notice is required. Do not publish or serve notice before you have both.

  4. When notice is required

    Get the 200-foot list from the Tax Collector

    Send a written request with the property’s block, lot and address to the Tax Collector, (201) 327-2609, ext. 228. The certified list of owners within 200 feet is ready within seven days. The fee is $0.25 per name with a $10.00 minimum, which is $10.00 for most applications. You may rely on the list as certified.

  5. When notice is required

    Serve, publish, prove

    At least 10 calendar days before the hearing, serve every owner on the list and each agency named in your instructions, by hand delivery or certified mail, and publish as your instructions direct; they reflect the legal-publication rules in effect since March 1, 2026 and replace any publication directions in the packet.

    The notice must give the hearing date, time and place, the property’s address or block and lot, the approvals and any variances requested, and where and when the plans can be inspected. File the affidavit of service and proof of publication with the Board Secretary before the hearing. Late or defective notice can require the hearing to be adjourned and noticed again.

  6. Hearing

    Your plans are open for public inspection in the Board Secretary’s office at least 10 days before the hearing. You and your witnesses testify under oath; the Board, its professionals and the public may ask questions, and the public may comment. A hearing carried to a date announced at the meeting usually needs no new notice.

  7. Decision

    The Board adopts a written resolution with its findings within 45 days of the vote, mails you a copy within 10 days and publishes notice of the decision. Deadlines to challenge a decision in court are short (Rule 4:69-6), so consult an attorney promptly.

Meetings

Regular meetings start at 7:00 p.m. at the Municipal Building, 100 East Allendale Road, and are open to the public. There are no regular meetings in July or August.

Remaining 2026 meetings

Dates follow the 2026 annual meeting notice (PDF). An amended or special-meeting notice controls if a date changes.

Good to Know

Fees and escrow

Make the fee and escrow deposit payable to the Borough of Saddle River and file them with your application. Amounts follow the Planning Board Schedule of Fees, revised August 26, 2020 (§ 37-36). Escrow pays the Board’s professional review, inspection, engineering and legal costs, and the deposit listed with each application is only the starting amount. Keep the minimum balance shown; the Board Secretary sends replenishment instructions when more is needed. Inspection deposits and performance guarantees may also apply.

You receive a copy of each professional’s voucher and periodic accounting from the Chief Financial Officer, and the eligible balance and interest are returned at closeout. A charge may be disputed under N.J.S.A. 40:55D-53.2a.

Concept plan review

Before filing, a developer may ask for an informal, nonbinding review of a concept plan at a public meeting (N.J.S.A. 40:55D-10.1). Owner notice is not required. Email the Board Secretary to be scheduled.

Special meetings

If an application cannot be finished at a regular meeting, or you want a hearing outside the regular schedule, you may ask the Board Secretary in writing for a special meeting. The Board decides, and the fee is $1,500 (Resolution PB 21-27).

Other approvals you may need

  • Bergen County Planning Board when the property abuts a County road or affects County drainage.
  • Bergen County Soil Conservation District certifies the soil erosion and sediment control plan when a project disturbs 5,000 square feet or more.
  • NJ Department of Environmental Protection for freshwater wetlands, flood hazard areas or stream encroachment.
  • Construction Official for building permits.

Board Members

Nine members in four classes and two alternates, appointed under Chapter 37.

  • Class I Albert J. Kurpis Mayor
  • Class II Richard Molinari
  • Class III David Hekemian Council Member
  • Class IV Nicholas Lonzisero Chair
  • Class IV Carol Boyajian Vice Chair
  • Class IV Jerry DeCrosta Secretary
  • Class IV Edward Wishik
  • Class IV Patricia Nazzaro
  • Class IV Dior Vass
  • Alt. 1 Nicholas Botta
  • Alt. 2 Joan Foley

Board Professionals

  • Martin Spence Board Engineer
  • Scott Levy Landscape Architect
  • Thomas S. DiBiasi, Esq. Board Attorney
  • Luis DePaz Board Secretary

The Board Attorney, Engineer and Landscape Architect work for the Board and cannot advise applicants on preparing or presenting an application.

100 E Allendale Rd. Saddle River, NJ 07458 | (p) 201-327-2609 | (f) 201-327-0168