Township of Maplewood, NJ Article II Permit Procedure for Events Held on Township Property

[Adopted 9-19-2006 by Ord. No. 2369-06]

§ 206-4 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

EVENTS

All organized public gatherings, except:

[Amended 11-7-2007 by Ord. No. 2530-07]

A. Neighborhood block parties, which are governed by Ord. No. 2370-06;[1]

B. Filming, which is governed by Chapter 125 of the Code of the Township of Maplewood;

C. Unattended outdoor displays, which are governed by Ord. No. 2376-06;[2]

D. Funeral processions by a licensed mortuary; and

E. Demonstrations, protests, picketing or rallies (free-speech activity) that do not involve the use of vehicles, animals, fireworks, pyrotechnics, structures or equipment (other than sound equipment), provided that no fee or donation is charged or required as a condition of participation in or attendance at such free-speech activity, and further provided that the Township Police Administration is notified at least two hours in advance of the commencement of the free-speech activity.

NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTIES

A gathering of local neighborhood residents held without charge and intended to be attended by local neighborhood residents held not more than one time per year where the participants contribute food and beverages and/or pay a small fee to cover the costs of same, and which is held to foster neighborhood well being and comradery.

TOWNSHIP PROPERTY

Any and every public street, public building, highway, sidewalk, square, public park or playground or any other public place within the Township of Maplewood ("the Township") which is within the jurisdiction and control of the Township.

[1] Editor’s Note: See Ch. 206, Art. III, Permit Procedure for Block Parties Held on Township Property.

[2] Editor's Note: See Ch. 206, Art. V, Outdoor Displays.

§ 206-5 Permit required.

A. No person or organization shall conduct an event on Township property without first having obtained a permit from the office of the Township Clerk, which permit shall set forth the approved location of such event and the approved duration of such event by specific reference to a date or dates, including set-up and break-down. Said permit must be readily available for inspection by Township officials at all times at the site of the event.

B. All permits shall be applied for and obtained from the office of the Township Clerk during normal business hours. Applications for such permits shall be on an approved form, a copy of which is attached,[1] and be accompanied by a permit fee in the amount established by this article.

[1] Editor's Note: The application form is on file in the Township Clerk's office.

C. A permit shall be valid to conduct events for the period of time specified in the permit.

D. There can be no change in the approved dates and times once a permit has been issued.

§ 206-6 Issuance of permit; costs; conduct of event.

A. No permit shall be issued by the Township Clerk unless applied for at least 30 days prior to the scheduled date of the event; provided, however, that the Township Clerk may waive the thirty-day period if, in his/her judgment, the applicant has obtained all relevant approvals.

B. No permit shall be issued unless the applicant has provided the Township Clerk with satisfactory proof of the following:

(1) Proof of insurance coverage for bodily injury and property damage in an amount of not less than $1,000,000 per occurrence, together with a certificate of insurance naming the Township as an additional insured and containing a provision giving the Township 30 days' notice prior to cancellation.

(2) The hiring of an off-duty Maplewood police officer as determined by the Township Police Chief.

C. The Township Clerk may refuse to issue a permit whenever he/she determines, on the basis of objective facts and after review of the application and reports from the Police Department, Fire Department, Building Department, Public Works Department, Health Department, Recreation Department and other Township agencies involved, that the event, the location and/or time set forth in the application would violate any law or ordinance, unreasonably interfere with use and enjoyment of neighboring properties, unreasonably impede the free flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic or otherwise adversely affect the public's health, safety or welfare.

D. In addition to any other fees or costs mentioned in this article and other Township ordinances, the applicant shall reimburse the Township for any out-of-pocket expenses, including overtime pay, incurred in connection with the event.

E. Copies of the approved permit shall be sent to the Township Committee, Police Department, Fire Department, Building Department, Public Works Department, Health Department and Recreation Department.

F. The permittee shall take all steps to minimize interference with the free passage of pedestrians and traffic over Township property and to comply with all lawful directions issued by the Maplewood Police Department and Maplewood Fire Department.

G. The permittee shall conduct the event in such a manner as to minimize the inconvenience to neighboring property owners.

§ 206-7 Appeals.

Any party aggrieved by the decision of the Township Clerk in denying or revoking a permit may appeal said decision to the Township Administrator.

§ 206-8 Fees.

Each application for an event permit shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $25.

§ 206-9 Violations and penalties.

A. Any person or organization violating this article or the rules and regulations promugated thereby, or the terms of the permit, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,250 per day. A separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues.

B. Additionally, any person or organization violating this article may be prohibited from securing an event permit in the future.