Township of Long Beach, NJ Article III Motor Vehicles on Beaches

[Adopted 8-2-1974 as § 4-8 of the 1974 Code; amended in its entirety 11-5-2018 by Ord. No. 18-30C]

§ 51-20 Permitted vehicles; permits; registration.

[Amended 12-17-2018 by Ord. No. 18-40C]

A. Except as set forth below, the only motor vehicles permitted on the beach shall be four-wheel-drive vehicles of the type known as "beach buggy" or "jeep" style vehicles.

(1) All municipal, state or federal vehicles shall be exempt from the requirements of this article.

(2) Persons who are defined as disabled pursuant to the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination[1] and whose disability is related to the person's ability to walk and/or access the beach are permitted to use the following type of motor vehicle on the beach at all times: motorized wheelchairs, trackchairs, and off-road wheelchairs. Other types of motor vehicles shall be prohibited.

[1] Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 10:5-1 et seq.

B. Registration and permits.

(1) Prior to use of any motor vehicle on the beach, the motor vehicle shall be registered with the Police Department, and each operator shall be required to obtain a permit from the Police Department. Application for the permit and the registration shall be made to the Police Department, who may require from the applicant complete information as to his or her ability and competence to operate a motor vehicle in a safe and prudent manner so as not to endanger the lives and safety of others using the beach. The information shall include the applicant's age, driving record, and experience.

(2) Approval of the permit and registration for the operation of motor vehicles by persons with disabilities shall include the verification that the motor vehicle constitutes the permitted type set forth in § 51-20A(2).

C. Any person who is found guilty of a violation of this article shall be ineligible to receive and shall be precluded from obtaining a permit pursuant to this article for a period of 12 calendar months from the date of the finding of guilt.

§ 51-21 Fees.

[Amended 2-24-1978 by Ord. No. 78-5C; 1-16-1981 by Ord. No. 81-3C; 9-18-2009 by Ord. No. 09-16C]

A. The applicant shall pay to the Police Department a nonrefundable registration fee of $50 at the time of filing the application for an annual permit or a fee of $25 which will be applicable for the term of the Striped Bass Derby. The vehicle registration shall expire on December 31 in the year in which it was written.

(1) No fee shall be charged for applications made by disabled persons pursuant to § 51-20A(2).

[Added 12-17-2018 by Ord. No. 18-40C]

B. Violators of the Code regarding motor vehicles on beaches may have permit privileges suspended without a refund.

§ 51-22 Regulations for operation.

A. No motor vehicle shall be operated on the beach from May 15 through September 30, except that portion thereof lying south of that northerly boundary of the Holgate Unit of the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge as designated allowable by the federal authorities.

B. No vehicle shall be operated on the beach at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour.

C. No vehicle shall be operated on the sand dunes, and all vehicles shall obtain access to the beach from the public streets only at places specifically designated by the Police Department, as follows:

Holgate

Nelson Avenue

Washington Avenue

Holgate Beach, Wildlife Refuge entrance vie end of boulevard (closed April 15th through September 1st)

Twp From Ship Bottom - Beach Haven

31st Street

46th Street

66th Street

72nd Street

80th Street

106th Street

117th Street

34th Street (BHG)

15th Street (NBH)

North Beach

25th Street

Tract 1065 (behind tennis courts)

Loveladies

Coast Road

Tract 55

D. All vehicles shall maintain a reasonable distance from congested bathing beaches or other areas where bathers, surf fisherman, or other using the beach are present.

[Added 12-17-2018 by Ord. No. 18-40C; amended 5-2-2022 by Ord. No. 22-11C]

E. No rubbish, debris, or litter of any sort shall be discarded from any vehicle while being operated on the beachfront.

[Added 5-2-2022 by Ord. No. 22-11C]

F. Vehicles are allowed access in permitted areas 24 hours each day, but not vehicle shall be operated on the beachfront at night without adequate lights.

[Added 5-2-2022 by Ord. No. 22-11C]

G. Every vehicle being operated on the beach shall be operated in a safe, reasonable, and careful manner at all times so as not to endanger the lives and safety of other persons using the beachfront.

[Added 5-2-2022 by Ord. No. 22-11C]

H. Vehicles shall be prohibited from access to the Brigantine National Wildlife Refuge when the Township deems maintenance is required and/or any other emergency arises with respect to access routes to the wildlife preserve.

[Added 5-2-2022 by Ord. No. 22-11C]

I. Vehicles shall maintain or have readily available a first aid kit, shovel, tow chain or equivalent, road flares, Coast Guard or ICC-approved fire extinguisher, jack with a large support board (minimum 12 inches by 12 inches), flashlight, and spare tire.

[Added 5-2-2022 by Ord. No. 22-11C]

J. No vehicle shall be left unattended. The drive shall stay within close proximity to his/her vehicle while fishing or engaging in any other activities outside of the vehicle.

[Added 5-2-2022 by Ord. No. 22-11C]

K. With the exception of Subsection B above, the regulations set forth in § 51-22 shall not apply to the motor vehicles permitted to be used by disabled persons pursuant to § 51-20A(2).

[Added 5-2-2022 by Ord. No. 22-11C]

§ 51-23 Violations and penalties.

[Added 7-18-1997 by Ord. No. 97-16C]

A violation of this article shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article III, General Penalty.

§ 51-24 (Reserved)