[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Raritan as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 10-11-2000 by Ord. No. 00-27 (Ch. 5.36 of the 2000 Code)]
[Amended 3-6-2018 by Ord. No. 18-9]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
SPECIAL EVENTS
Any cultural, religious, artistic or commercial events which are located in Raritan Township with attendance open to the general public.
Special events may be permitted in any nonresidential zone in the Township by the Police Chief and Construction Official, subject to the following conditions:
A. 
The proposed site contains a minimum of two acres;
B. 
The proposed site is more than 500 feet from the nearest property used for residential purposes;
C. 
The special event would have no adverse impact on the health, safety or welfare of the neighborhood or the municipality;
D. 
Adequate parking is provided;
E. 
Adequate sanitary facilities are provided.
Not more than 10 days of special events may be held on a property during a single calendar year.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
Separate copies of the special events application must be submitted to the Police Chief and Construction Official at least 30 days prior to the date of the proposed event. The application to the Construction Official must be accompanied by an application fee as provided in Chapter 245, Fees, § 245-4. The application will be deemed denied unless both officials give written approval within 10 days after the application is submitted.
A single sign no larger than four feet by eight feet shall be permitted on the site for five days prior to the special event and during the special event.
Exempted from this article are events held at churches, temples, synagogues, schools, YMCAs, YWCAs and the Flemington Fairgrounds.
[Adopted 10-11-2000 by Ord. No. 00-27 (Ch. 8.32 of the 2000 Code)]
For the purpose of this article, the term "special road event" shall be deemed to include any nonmotorized soap box derby or bikeathon, marathon run, walkathon or jogging group, or similarly organized road event, which intends to proceed along a public street or other public right-of-way within the Township.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. II)]
An application for a permit to conduct a special road event shall be made to the Chief of Police, in writing, by the person or persons in charge or responsible for the event. A fee as provided in Chapter 245, Fees, § 245-4, shall accompany the application. This fee may be waived upon submission of documents verifying that the sponsoring group is a nonprofit organization as defined by the statutes of the State of New Jersey or Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.[1] 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 chairman of the special road 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 plans for parking of all vehicles;
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 be commenced and terminated;
H. 
The location where the special event is to be held, including the specific assembly and dispersal location, and the proposed route and the plans for assembly and dispersal of the participants;
I. 
Whether or not 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. 
The name and address of any charity for which the special event is being run, including a disclosure as to the percentage of proceeds to be raised from the special event to be actually donated to the charity after administrative costs are deducted;
L. 
Whether any admission fee will be charged for participation in the special event and the amount of the fee, if any;
M. 
Such other information as the Chief of Police 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.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 26 U.S.C. § 501(c)(3).
If the Chief of Police, in his or her sole discretion, shall find that the special road event is not to be held for any unlawful purpose and will not in any manner tend to unreasonably interfere with the public use of the streets and sidewalks, and the event organizer/sponsor will meet each condition as required, he or she shall issue such permit.
No such permit shall be issued for a special road event unless application for the permit has been made not less than 30 days in advance of the date on which the special event is sought to be held. No such special road event shall commence earlier than 9:00 a.m. nor continue beyond the hour of 5:00 p.m. on 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. The Chief of Police shall review the proposed course of travel for the event and may alter or totally redesignate the course of travel, as he or she may deem appropriate.
Any permit granted under this article 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 the date, time, duration or number of participants as requested by the applicant. For the purposes of public safety and welfare, Chief of Police may order the temporary closing of streets and/or the temporary prohibition of parking along same during the event, and shall direct the posting of proper warning signs in connection with the event, as provided by law.
A. 
If the Chief of Police determines that additional Police Officers will be required for the purpose of preserving the public health, safety and welfare during the course of the special event, the holder of the special event permit shall deposit in advance of the holding of the event a sum of money to be determined by the Chief of Police to pay in full for all police services which the Chief of Police deems necessary in connection with the special event. However, the Township will provide to private, nonprofit organizations, as defined in § 386-8, up to three police officers, at no additional cost or expense to the event organizer/sponsor. Any officers required over those provided by the Township shall be paid for by the organizer/sponsor of the event.
B. 
If additional costs are incurred for the purpose of providing police protection, the holder of the permit shall be required to pay to the Township the additional funds within 10 days of notification by the Township as to the exact figure due. In the event that the sum of money so deposited in advance exceeds the funds needed to pay for actual police protection, the Township shall refund any excess deposit within 10 days after the holding of said special event.
The holder of a special road event permit shall agree, in writing, to indemnify and hold harmless the Township, its servants, agents and employees, for any and all claims caused by or arising out of the activity covered in the permit. Further, the holder of the permit shall present to the Chief of Police an insurance policy in a form acceptable to the Chief which will provide for indemnification as aforementioned.