[Ord. No. 1837, § 1; amended by Ord. No. 3156, 6-21-1988, § 1; Ord. No. 20-2025, 4-22-2025]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
PARADE
Any special event within the Township of Teaneck consisting of people, animals, or vehicles, or a combination thereof, which does not comply with normal and usual traffic regulations or controls.
SPECIAL EVENT
For the purposes of this chapter, the term "special event" shall be deemed to include any parade, walkathon, bikeathon, running event, block party, march, assembly, demonstration, protest, or other organized group (excluding funeral processions) having a common purpose or goal, proceeding along a public street, public sidewalk, public property, or other public right-of-way in the Township of Teaneck.
[Ord. No. 1837, § 2; amended by Ord. No. 20-2025, 4-22-2025]
Application to conduct a special event shall be made to the Township Manager, in writing, by the person or persons in charge or responsible therefor. Such application shall set forth the following information:
(a) 
The name, address and telephone number of the person requesting the permit.
(b) 
The name and address of the organization or group he or she is representing.
(c) 
The name, address and telephone number of the person or persons who will act as chairperson of the special event and be responsible for the conduct thereof.
(d) 
The number of monitors to be provided and the identifying marks, badges or symbols to be worn or used by the monitors.
(e) 
The purpose of the event, the estimated number of persons to participate and otherwise attend and the number and types of vehicles (if any) to participate.
(f) 
The method of notifying participants of the terms and conditions of the special event.
(g) 
The date the event is to be conducted and the hours it will commence and terminate.
(h) 
The specific assembly and dispersal locations, the specific route and the plans, if any, for assembly and dispersal.
(i) 
Whether any music will be provided, either live or recorded.
(j) 
The number, types and locations of all loudspeakers and amplifying devices to be used.
(k) 
Such other information as the Police Chief may deem necessary in order to properly provide for traffic control, street and property maintenance and the protection of the public health, safety and welfare.
[Ord. No. 1837, § 3; amended by Ord. No. 20-2025, 4-22-2025]
If the Township Manager, in consultation with the Chief of Police, as necessary, shall conclude that the special event is not to be held for any unlawful purpose and will not in any manner tend to cause a breach of the peace or unnecessarily interfere with the use of the public streets or public rights-of-way, he or she shall issue said permit.
[Ord. No. 1837, § 4; amended by Ord. No. 20-2025, 4-22-2025]
No such permit shall be issued for a special event unless application has been made not less than seven business days in advance of the date on which said special event is sought to be held, with any approvals to be given no more than three business days following said application. No such event shall commence earlier than 8:00 a.m. nor continue beyond the hour of 10:00 p.m. of the same day. All directional signs erected in connection with the special event shall be removed within 24 hours of the termination of the event.
[Ord. No. 1837, § 5; 1856, 4-8-1980; § 1]
Any permit granted under this chapter may contain conditions reasonably calculated to reduce or minimize dangers and hazards to vehicular or pedestrian traffic and the public health, safety, and welfare, including but not limited to changes in time, duration or number of participants.
[Ord. No. 1856, 4-8-1980, § 1]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:67-16.9, for the purpose of carrying out the preceding sections of this chapter, the Township Council authorizes the Township Manager to provide, by regulation, for the closing of any street, or portion thereof, to motor vehicle traffic on any day or days or during specified hours on any day or days whenever he/she finds that such closing is necessary for the preservation of the public safety, health or welfare. Any regulations promulgated by the Township Manager pursuant to the authority of this section shall provide for the posting of proper warning signs of such closing in any street, or portion thereof, during the time the same is closed. The penalty for the violation of this section or any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto shall be as contained in § 1-6, General penalty, of the Teaneck Township Code.
[Ord. No. 1837, § 6; Ord. No. 1856, 4-8-1980, § 1]
The applicant shall agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Township, its servants, agents and employees for any and all claims caused by or arising out of the activities permitted.
[Added by Ord. No. 20-2025, 4-22-2025]
No special event shall occur, and no person shall participate in a special event, absent the issuance of a permit, except if the special event is held in response to breaking news. If a special event is being held in response to breaking news, the seven-business day period stated in § 31B-4 may be waived on good cause by the Township Manager in consultation with the Police Chief and the Township Attorney. The Township Manager shall report the decision to waive the seven-business-day application deadline to the Council at its next regularly scheduled meeting. All requirements and conditions for a special event permit pursuant to this chapter need to be satisfied before the event may occur.
[Added by Ord. No. 20-2025, 4-22-2025]
During the course of a special event, whether a permit is obtained or not, the Township will enforce all laws and regulations relating to the peace and good order of the community and will not tolerate any illegal activity, particularly with respect to the destruction of public property or any attempt to injure another person. In addition to any other generally applicable Township ordinances, rules, and regulations that may be applicable to such activity, the following specific regulations shall also apply to such activity:
(a) 
Signs are not permitted to be posted on utility or other poles, unless authorized in writing by the owner or operator of the utility or other pole. Additionally, any signs or flags must be held by hand and not affixed to any pole or stick, except for cardboard tubing.
(b) 
The use of sound-amplification equipment, including bull horns or musical instruments, is prohibited except where authorized by permit.
(c) 
In order to protect the quiet enjoyment of residents' homes during sleeping hours, including the sleeping hours of children, under no circumstances may sound-amplification equipment be utilized in residential neighborhoods between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.
(d) 
The open carrying of any type of weapon is prohibited, including, but not limited to, knives (except for pocket knives), bricks, bats, clubs, sticks, and brass knuckles.
(e) 
Persons shall not be permitted to climb in trees or up utility poles.
(f) 
To protect the public safety, it is prohibited to conduct a special event inside or within 100 feet of a police or fire station, the interior of a Township-owned or Township-controlled building, or other buildings or locations within the Township, as determined by the Township Manager, in consultation with the Chief of Police as necessary, to be subject to this provision to protect the public safety. The foregoing does not apply to Township property generally considered traditional public forums, such as public parks, plazas, streets and sidewalks, provided the provisions of this section of Chapter 31B and generally applicable Township ordinances, rules, and regulations are complied with.
(g) 
It is prohibited to picket or engage in other activities that are disruptive or are undertaken to disrupt and are directed at, and take place within 100 feet of the property line of a particular private residence. The primary purpose of this provision is the protection and preservation of the sanctity and quiet enjoyment of the home by ensuring that members of the community are free from targeted harassment and intrusion when they are in their private homes and dwellings.
(h) 
It is prohibited to picket or engage in other activities that are disruptive or are undertaken to disrupt and are directed at, and take place within 100 feet of the property line of a religious establishment, including a house of worship or religious school, from one hour before any religious program or activity commences until one hour after it concludes. It is prohibited to engage in conduct having the effect of obstructing public rights-of-way and sidewalks. The primary purpose of this provision is the protection and preservation of First Amendment religious liberty rights by ensuring that members of the community are free from targeted harassment and intrusion when attending a religious establishment to engage in the free exercise of religion. The Township of Teaneck also maintains a compelling interest in ensuring public sidewalks remain unobstructed for the Township's residents.
(i) 
The free flow of traffic along Township streets shall remain unimpeded and all traffic and pedestrian signals shall be followed, except to the extent authorized by a permit or other legal authorization for the closure of a Township street.
(j) 
Pedestrians not participating in the special event shall be given enough space to travel on Township sidewalks and may not be maliciously obstructed or detained.
(k) 
Law enforcement is authorized to redirect a special event in the interest of public safety.
(l) 
Persons not participating in a special event must be allowed unimpeded access to buildings and businesses in the vicinity of the special event, with a clear space for ingress and egress available at all times.
(m) 
Property shall not be removed from any construction site located anywhere within the Township.
(n) 
Township officials shall not be impeded by any person in the course of performing their official duties.
(o) 
No person shall interfere with a special event peaceful marches, demonstrations or other expressive activity, provided the persons engaging in such activity are in compliance with the foregoing rules and regulations and any other generally applicable laws or ordinances.
(p) 
All of the foregoing rules and regulations shall apply without regard for whether a permit must be or has been obtained, except to the extent a particular rule or regulation has been waived or modified by a valid permit or other legal authorization.
[Added by Ord. No. 20-2025, 4-22-2025]
It is unlawful to violate or fail to abide by any of the provisions of this chapter. Any person who violates any provision of this chapter, or any part thereof, shall be subject to a fine or penalty for each violation as provided in § 1-6 of the Code of the Township of Teaneck.