![\"Beach](\"https:\/\/shorebeat.com\/lavallette-seaside\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/IMG_5490.jpg\")
<\/a>Beach rules in Harvey Cedars, NJ. (Photo: Daniel Nee)<\/p><\/div>\n
In the Long Beach Island town of Harvey Cedars, picnicking is off limits on the sand \u2013 at least the ocean sand. A sign at the entrance to each public beach in town warns sun seekers that having a picnic is only allowed at Sunset Park, the town\u2019s bay beach. The sign wasn\u2019t clear on whether there\u2019s an all-out ban on food or drink (it also specifies no glass bottles, but doesn\u2019t comment on plastic containers) or what, specifically, constitutes an illegal \u201cpicnic.\u201d<\/p>\n
2. You Can\u2019t Play Ball<\/strong><\/p>\n Beach rules in Surf City, NJ. (Photo: Daniel Nee)<\/p><\/div>\n Want to\u00a0play catch? Toss a tennis ball around with some sticky mits? A little football\u00a0back by the dunes? It\u2019s a no-no in Surf City, where \u201cball playing\u201d is one of a slew of prohibitions\u00a0that greet visitors with a giant \u201cNO\u201d sign at each beach entrance.<\/p>\n 3. You Can\u2019t Dig a Hole in the Sand<\/strong><\/p>\n Digging a hole is banned at this Ocean County beach. (Photo: Daniel Nee)<\/p><\/div>\n Hole-digging is a beach institution. Granted, going overboard comes with certain dangers, but it\u2019s the subject of bans in numerous Shore towns.<\/p>\n 4. You Can\u2019t Go Barefoot on the Walkway to the\u00a0Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n Regulations in Long Beach Township, NJ. (Photo: Daniel Nee)<\/p><\/div>\n In Long Beach Township, better make sure your flip-flops are securely on your feet. Going barefoot on walkways up to the beach is banned by ordinance and can, technically, net you a $1,000 fine.<\/p>\n 5. You Can\u2019t Drink a Beer (On the Sand)<\/strong><\/p>\n EJ\u2019s in Seaside Heights, a few feet from the sand. (Photo: Daniel Nee)<\/p><\/div>\n New Jersey loves its vices. Gambling is legal just off the sand in Atlantic City, and Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a bill that would have banned smoking on the beach last year. Booze, however, is a no-no on essentially every public beach in the state. There are, however, numerous bars just feet away on most boardwalks,\u00a0if you\u2019re in the mood for an adult beverage.<\/p>\n 6. There Are So Many Rules, You Can\u2019t Read Them All at the Beach Entrance<\/strong><\/p>\n Long Beach Township\u2019s beach rules sign. (Photo: Daniel Nee)<\/p><\/div>\n Back in Long Beach Township, good citizens can obtain a full booklet of all the beach rules from beach badge checkers, lifeguards, or at town hall.<\/p>\n 7. Your Beach Day Can\u2019t Exceed Two Hours<\/strong><\/p>\n 2 Hours of Parking in Mantoloking. (File Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n Famous for its odd beach regulations (public beaches aren\u2019t guarded, but there are guards who keep watch over public beaches run by a private association) Mantoloking is also well-known for onerous parking regulations. On\u00a0nearly every beach block in town, vehicles can only park for two hours at a time. Don\u2019t just move your car and head back to your beach chair \u2013 the time limit applies to any space in town.<\/p>\n 7. You Can\u2019t Bring Your Dog With You<\/strong><\/p>\n No dogs allowed on the beach. (Photo: Daniel Nee)<\/p><\/div>\n Uniformly, up and down the Jersey Shore, man\u2019s best friend has to stay home during the beach season. It seems normal to those from the Garden State, but \u201cno dogs allowed\u201d beach regulations are relatively uncommon in many other states.<\/p>\n 8. On Some Beaches, You Can\u2019t Smoke<\/strong><\/p>\n No smoking sign at a local beach.<\/p><\/div>\n There are smoking regulations in many Jersey Shore beach towns, including Seaside Heights and Seaside Park. But in others, the law varies from a full allowance to smoking and non-smoking sections divided by either blocks or the number of feet from beach entrances.<\/p>\n 9. You Can\u2019t Go to the Beach, Period<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>