Document Text
--- Document: Ordinance #2026-06 Special Events Introduction (pdf) Document ---
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE the following ordinance was introduced and
passed on first reading at the March 16, 2026 meeting of the Mayor and
Borough Council was scheduled for a public hearing to begin at 7:00
p.m. on April 20, 2026, in the Municipal Building, located at 555
Brighton Avenue, Spring Lake Heights, at which time and place any
person desiring to comment on this ordinance will be given the
opportunity to be heard. A copy of the ordinance is available in the
clerk’s office.
BOROUGH OF SPRING LAKE HEIGHTS
COUNTY OF MONMOUTH
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
Ordinance No. 2026-06
ORDINANCE REGULATING CONDUCTING OF SPECIAL EVENTS
WHEREAS, the Borough has determined it is in the public’s interest to regulate and
require permits for special events such as parades and other large-scale gatherings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Spring Lake Heights in the County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey, as follows:
SECTION I. Chapter 3-30, titled “Special Events,” is hereby established as follows:
3-30
SPECIAL EVENTS
§ 3-30.1 Definition
As used in this section, SPECIAL EVENT shall mean any gathering of people which: 1)
may generate a parking or traffic situation that could potentially interfere with the ordinary
flow of traffic or the use of emergency vehicles, and/or 2) where the attendees have a
similar common purpose or goal and congregate in or upon any street, park, or public or
quasi-public place, including schools, within the Borough. This definition shall include but
not be limited to any parade, march, ceremony, show, exhibition, pageant, procession,
marathon, block party, concert, fundraiser, photo shoot, or commercial video production.
§ 3-30.2 Permit Required
No Special Event shall be held within the Borough unless a permit has been obtained as
set forth herein, except that the following shall be exempted from complying with the
requirements as set forth in this section:
a. Funeral and Wedding Processions;
b. Government agencies acting within the scope of their functions;
c. Students participating in educational activities under the authorization of the proper
school authorities of the Borough.
§ 3-30.3 Application Procedure
a. Any person or entity seeking to host a special event shall make an application, in
writing, to the Spring Lake Heights Police Department at least twenty (20) days
prior to their event.
b. A fee of $50 shall accompany the application, and be used to reimburse the Borough
for the administrative costs in issuing the permit. The Chief of Police may waive
the fee at their sole discretion.
c. The application shall contain the following information:
1. The name, address, and telephone number of the person requesting the
permit;
2. The name, address, and telephone of any organization they are representing;
3. The name, address, and telephone number of the person(s) who will act as
chairperson of the Special Event and be responsible for the conduct thereof;
4. The number of staff and support personnel to be provided and the
identifying clothing, signs, badges, or symbols to be used or worn by the
staff and support personnel;
5. The purpose of the Special Event;
6. The estimated number of attendees;
7. Whether the host will charge participants a fee;
8. If there are to be vehicles present, the number and types of vehicles;
9. The date, rain date, start time, and end time of the Special Event;
10. The location of the Special Event, and the plans for assembly and dispersal
of the participants;
i. In the case of parades, walks, or other similar events, this shall
include a map indicating the exact route to be travelled by the
event’s participants.
11. A detailed description of the Borough resources or services that will be
required to be provided in connection with the Special Event;
12. Whether or not there will be music played at the event, whether live or
recorded;
13. The number, types, and locations of all loud speakers and amplifying
devices to be used;
14. A detailed list of any vendors using cooking devices, which shall be
transmitted by the Police Department to the Fire Department for review;
15. If alcohol is to be served at the event, copies of any and all required licenses
or permits obtained from the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage
Control, as well as a plan of how to secure the area;
16. Any other information which may be necessary for the Borough to fairly
decide whether the permit shall be issued.
§ 3-30.4 Issuance of Permit
a. The Police Department shall issue a Special Event Permit upon a finding that the
Special Event:
1. Will not substantially interrupt the safe and orderly movement of other
traffic contiguous to its routes;
2. Will not require the diversion of so great a number of Police Officers or
Ambulances that it would prevent the normal provision of emergency
services to the rest of the Borough;
3. Will not interfere with the movement of First Responders en route to an
emergency situation;
4. Will not tend to unreasonably interfere with the public use of the streets and
sidewalks and private properties, and can be conducted in a safe manner.
b. The Police Department shall consider applications in the order they are received.
c. Notice of approval or disapproval of the application shall be given by the Police
Department to the Applicant no later than ten (10) days after the application is filed
and no later than ten (10) days prior to the Special Event. In the event the
application is denied, the Police Department shall provide a written statement of
reasons for the denial to the applicant.
§ 3-30.5 Enforcement
The Police Department or its designee shall have the authority to eject from the area in
which the special event is taking place any person acting in violation of this chapter, or any
other chapter of the Borough’s Ordinances.
§ 3-30.6 Violations
Any person that violates the provisions of this Ordinance shall be subject to the penalties
set forth in § 1-5.
SECTION II. Severability.
The provisions of this Ordinance shall be severable. In the event that any portion of this
Ordinance is found to be invalid for any reason by any Court of competent jurisdiction, such
judgment shall be limited in its effect only to the portion of the Ordinance actually adjudged invalid
and shall not be deemed to affect the operation of any other portion thereof, which shall remain in
full force and effect.
SECTION III. Repealer.
All ordinances and resolutions, and parts of ordinances and resolutions which are
inconsistent with provisions of this ordinance shall be, and are hereby, repealed to the extent of
any such inconsistency.
SECTION IV. Effective Date.
This ordinance shall take effect upon final adoption and publication in accordance with
law.
LEGAL NOTICE
Publication by Summary Pursuant to N.J.S.A.40:49-2
This Ordinance establishes a permitting procedure for special events including large-scale
gatherings such as parades.