3 New Law Changes In Gloucester Twp. That Impacted Residents In 2025

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — With 2025 nearing completion, Patch is looking back at some of the local policy changes impacting Gloucester Township residents.

The Gloucester Township Council passed 25 ordinances — measures that change the township's laws — regarding redevelopment, managing disorderly youth, and a range of other issues.

Here are a few of the most notable ordinances passed in 2025:

Parental Responsibility

The new law leaves parents open to fines or prison time if they fail to stop their children from breaking the law in Gloucester Township. It was crafted in response to incidents of youth creating public disturbances at various public gatherings throughout the state, including Gloucester Township Day in 2024.

Parents or caretakers could face penalties if their child is found guilty of various offenses multiple times in juvenile court, facing up to 90 days in prison and/or a maximum fine of $2,000.

Patch first broke news of the policy, which was later covered by national media outlets. Other New Jersey towns have adopted similar regulations, but Gloucester Township is one of the largest municipalities to do so.

• Read more: Parents Face Prison For Their Child's Crimes Under New Gloucester Twp. Law

Warehouse Scrapped For Housing

A 234,000-square-foot warehouse was once planned for a redevelopment site along 1000 Williamstown-Erial Rd. But after years of litigation between the township and the developer, the plan has shifted to the development that will bring more than 300 homes to the property.

Essentially, Modani Properties entered a development agreement with the township in 2022 that allowed them to build a 234,000-square-foot warehouse at the site. It came during a surge of warehouse developments in New Jersey, which faced pushback from residents in impacted communities.

The state then released new guidance for warehouse developments, which local officials decided to follow. Thus, Modani Properties never got a Planning Board hearing for its warehouse application, so the developer sued the township.

The township and developer struck a settlement agreement earlier this year, which will allow Modani to build townhouses in the redevelopment area and adjoining lots. The council approved an ordinance in November that allowed that agreement to go into effect.

• Read more: Planned Warehouse Nixed For Hundreds Of Homes At Gloucester Twp. Redevelopment Site

Block Parties

Another new ordinance requires anyone who wants to hold a block party to obtain a permit. The measure was designed to prevent excessive noise and nuisance, while explicitly holding block party organizers responsible for unapproved gatherings.

Block party applications must include a plan to control event parking, among other aspects. It's also recommended that the applicant sends a letter to all impacted residents and gets at least three-quarters of them to sign a petition approving of the event.

Party hosts are responsible for cleanup and must comply with the township's noise regulations.

• Read more: Block Parties To Require Permits Under Gloucester Twp.'s Proposed Policy

To view more township ordinances, view the township code or check out the agendas and minutes of council meetings.