{"id":17625,"date":"2025-06-19T05:52:28","date_gmt":"2025-06-19T09:52:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/lavallette-seaside\/?p=17625"},"modified":"2025-06-19T06:17:17","modified_gmt":"2025-06-19T10:17:17","slug":"seaside-heights-passes-ordinances-to-close-boardwalk-nightly-raise-fines-for-rogue-rentals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/lavallette-seaside\/2025\/06\/seaside-heights-passes-ordinances-to-close-boardwalk-nightly-raise-fines-for-rogue-rentals\/","title":{"rendered":"Passed: Seaside Heights Sets New Boardwalk Hours, Raises Fines for Rogue Rentals"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Seaside<\/a>

Seaside Heights police car. (Photo: Daniel Nee)<\/p><\/div>\n

A suite of ordinances that will see the Seaside Heights boardwalk close nightly at set hours, prohibit backpacks on the boards, and raise fines for illegal or out-of-control rental properties passed unanimously Wednesday with support from both residents and the borough\u2019s business community.<\/p>\n

The ease at which the ordinances passed on second reading, following public hearings, represents a telling departure from years past, in which rental property owners and nightclub operators threatened to sue officials over proposed restrictions. With many of the borough\u2019s troubled motels and small bungalows having been demolished in favor of higher-end townhomes and condominiums, the lack of opposition signaled a shift toward a preference for a more traditional Jersey Shore resort on the part of Seaside Heights residents and businesses. Following the vote, the package of ordinances will go into effect immediately once published in a legacy print newspaper, in accordance with state law.<\/p>\n

Borough council members said the new policies will be in force in time for the upcoming July 4 holiday, though officials said they do not expect a repeat of the raucous behavior exhibited over Memorial Day weekend<\/a>, when about 90 arrests were made by police, largely due to violent behavior exhibited by visitors between the ages of 18 and 25. The prime summer season, with schools being closed, has historically led to most rental properties being occupied by families and more responsible clientele, reducing the potential for a flood of guests attracted by sometimes-fraudulent social media posts designed to create chaos. Still, New Jersey State Police will augment local authorities \u2013 an offer made by Gov. Phil Murphy to borough officials \u2013 and the boardwalk will close early on the holiday to ensure trouble does not spark late at night.<\/p>\n

What Does It Mean for the Boardwalk?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The boardwalk will close to visitors between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and federal holidays, including this coming July 4. The rest of the year, the boardwalk will close nightly at midnight on weekdays (Sunday through Thursday).<\/p>\n

Officials had previously considered closing the boardwalk at 10 p.m. on summer holidays, however this measure was not included in the ordinance adopted Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Mayor Anthony Vaz said the borough council intends on revising the ordinance to fine-tune the dates and times, but the gravity of the situation following clashes between groups of visitors and police over Memorial Day weekend forced the governing body to act quickly to enact an ordinance that fits within legal parameters for the remainder of the season.<\/p>\n

\"Seaside<\/a>

Seaside Heights Police vehicle on the boardwalk. (File Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

A revision, which is expected to be codified at the council\u2019s July 2 meeting, would set the early closing hours for the period of time between April 1 and June 30, as well as the Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day holidays.<\/p>\n

Backpacks and similar bags will also be banned from the boardwalk in the evening, with exceptions included for medical devices and other personal necessities as required by law. Specifically, the ordinance reads:<\/strong><\/p>\n

No bag larger than eight inches by six inches by eight inches in depth (8\u2033x 6\u2033 x 8\u2033) inches in depth, such as but not limited to, bookbags, satchels, fanny packs, cinch bags, coolers, briefcases, luggage of any kind, computer bags and camera bags or any bag larger than the permissible size as set forth in this section is permitted to be carried on the Boardwalk between the hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. the following day from April 1st to September 30th of each year.<\/em><\/p>\n

Exceptions include:<\/strong><\/p>\n