Block Parties To Require Permits Under Gloucester Twp.'s Proposed Policy

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Holding an illegal block party could land violators fines or imprisonment under a proposal the Gloucester Township Council is considering.

The ordinance, if passed, would require anyone who wants to hold a block party to obtain a permit. The measure is designed to prevent excessive noise and nuisance, while explicitly holding block party organizers responsible for unapproved gatherings.

On Monday, the council voted unanimously to introduce the ordinance, which will receive a public hearing and a final vote at a future council meeting.

Under the ordinance, block parties would constitute neighborhood celebrations, festivals or events that require blocking traffic on any public streets. Yard sales and fundraising efforts would be exempt. Larger-scale gatherings such as carnivals, concerts or political rallies are subject to different regulations.

The policy "defines the authorization for a permit, the parameters of the event as far as controlling event parking, sound amplification, blocking access to the street, where the application is made, the cleanup after block parties and the limit on the number of permits for block parties in a given year," said Council President Orlando Mercado.

The police chief would review block party applications, which must include a plan to control event parking. 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 would be responsible for cleanup, and the event must comply with the township's noise regulations.

Violators would be subject to a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to 10 days in prison.

The ordinance also makes the permit holder's "liable for all losses, damages or injuries sustained by any person, whether a participant or spectator at the block party or recreational event, (and) whether or not said losses, damages or injuries arise by reason of the (permit holder's) negligence."

Watch Monday's council meeting below: