[HISTORY: As indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 5-20-2014 by Ord. No. 2185-14]
[Amended 4-20-2021 by Ord. No. 2387-21]
No business or commercial establishment to which the public is invited, defined either as a "permitted use," "accessory use," or "special exception use" within the "neighborhood business," "limited business," general commercial," or "highway development" districts set forth in the Township of Lawrence Zoning Ordinance, as amended, or as may hereafter be amended or supplemented, or any nonconforming such use or variance permitting such use, located within such districts, or in any other zoning district, shall be opened to the public or conduct any such business, operations or activities in any manner before 5:00 a.m. on any day and after 2:00 a.m. on the next succeeding day. Except with respect to security lighting, all exterior and window electrical lighting or illumination, whether temporary or permanent, for each such business or commercial establishment shall be extinguished at the closing time thereof, as established herein.
Subject to § 333-3 below, the following businesses and commercial establishments, if not otherwise excluded pursuant to § 333-1 above, shall be excluded from the application of § 333-1 , all being either otherwise regulated by law, deemed to involve minimal nuisance characteristics, necessary to the public health, safety, welfare or convenience, or some combination of the foregoing, as follows:
A. 
Establishments licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages pursuant to Chapter 83 of the Code of the Township of Lawrence, New Jersey, whose hours and mode of operation are governed separately by Township ordinances and by N.J.S.A. 33:1-1 et seq. of the laws of New Jersey pertaining to alcoholic beverages.
B. 
Barbershops, barber schools or barber colleges whose hours and mode of operation are governed separately by Chapter 101 of the Code of the Township of Lawrence, New Jersey.
C. 
Bowling alleys operating within the interior of an enclosed building or structure.
D. 
In-house cafeterias and similar retail food operations customarily servicing employees or residents of institutions but not the general public, and operating within the interior of an enclosed building or structure.
E. 
Gasoline service stations, provided such operations do not include automobile, truck or other motor vehicle repair or body and fender repair work during the hours of operation prohibited by § 333-1 above.
F. 
Hotels and motels.
G. 
Medical and dental offices, hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centers.
H. 
Movies and other theatrical performances, provided that the final performance or featured film on any given date commences at or before 11:00 p.m. on that date.
I. 
Supermarkets, groceries, and convenience stores selling food products within the interior of an enclosed building or structure primarily for off-premises preparation or consumption.
J. 
Restaurants offering full service meals on a twenty-four-hour basis, seven days a week, which are located on U.S. Alternate Highway No. 1 (Business Highway 1, a.k.a. Brunswick Pike).
K. 
Incidental activities, not involving business operations or sales or services, within or about any business or commercial establishment which may be required in advance of or after the hours of operation permitted by § 333-1, including, but not limited to, cleaning and sweeping, off-street loading and unloading of inventory and supplies, and disposal of waste and garbage, provided such activities are carried on in such reasonable manner as to emit the least possible noise.
Anything contained in § 333-2 above notwithstanding, other than businesses and commercial establishments set forth in § 333-2A and B above, and any business or commercial establishment which, as of the effective date hereof, operates on a twenty-four-hour-a-day basis or during any other hours that are different from those permitted under § 333-1 above and has continuously done so, legally, since April 8, 1992, no business or commercial establishment shall be excluded from § 333-1 which is situated within 500 feet of a residential zone or any residential property, measured in a straight line between the closest points of the respective lot lines.
Any person, firm, corporation, limited liability company, partnership or other business entity or commercial establishment of any type whatsoever violating the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction, pay a fine not to exceed $1,000 or be imprisoned not to exceed 90 days, or both, in the discretion of the court. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day or part thereof during or on which a violation occurs or continues.
Any waiver of or relief from the provisions contained in this section, in whole or in part, must be sought by way of an application made to the Township Council of the Township of Lawrence pursuant to this § 333-5, and only the Township Council shall have the authority to provide relief from and/or waive the provisions contained in this section, in whole or in part.
If any paragraph or provision of this article shall be adjudicated invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall not, to the extent severable, affect any other paragraph or provision of this article, which shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.