Long Branch's Business Licensing & Operations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles business licensing & operations a little differently. In Long Branch, New Jersey, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Towing Companies

Long Branch requires every towing and wrecking business on the police rotation list to hold a City license under Code § 316-2, carrying at least $250,000/$500,000/$20,000 in liability coverage. No more than six towing licenses may be outstanding at once, and calls rotate alphabetically among licensees.

Key details: Max licenses outstanding: fewer than 6. Min insurance: $250k/$500k/$20k. Min wrecker lift capacity: 4 tons. Storage lot capacity: at least 20 cars. Penalty: $5,000-$15,000 by offense number.

A licensed tower who violates the chapter faces suspension or revocation of its spot on the list by the Director of Public Safety, with a right to a City Council hearing within 15 days of requesting one (§ 316-9). Anyone convicted of violating Chapter 316 is subject to a fine of up to $5,000 for a first offense, up to $10,000 for a second, and up to $15,000 for each subsequent offense (§ 316-12).

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Long Branch actively enforces its towing companies requirements.

Tattoo & Body Modification

Long Branch defines a body art establishment as one whose primary business is applying permanent body art or makeup to human skin, and it charges a $250 plan review fee for any such establishment, with a $125 fee for a limited plan alteration.

Key details: Plan review fee: $250 per body art establishment. Limited plan alteration fee: $125 per plan. Floor-area carve-out: Under 5% keeps a business off tattoo-parlor status. State standard cited: N.J.A.C. 8:27-2.2. Chapter adopted: 1978, body art added 2020 (Ord. 10-20).

Chapter 227 does not print a standalone penalty section specific to body art establishments in the current code; violations of the massage and body art provisions of Chapter 227, such as operating without required plan review, fall under the citywide default penalty of Chapter 1, General Provisions, § 1-16, a fine of up to $2,000, imprisonment of up to 90 days, or up to 90 days of community service, with each day of noncompliance counted separately. A massage establishment license may also be revoked for cause under § 227-11 and § 227-12 after notice and a hearing before the City Administrator.

Secondhand Dealers

Long Branch requires anyone buying or selling used goods, precious metals, gems or pawned items in the city to hold a secondhand dealer license from the City Clerk. The Police Department investigates every applicant, and licensees must post a $10,000 bond and keep detailed photographed records of every purchase.

Key details: Licensing office: City Clerk. Background check: NJ State Police, via Police Dept, 30 days. Bond required: $10,000 surety bond. License fee: $50 initial, $50 annual renewal. Merchandise hold: 30 days before resale or melt-down.

A violation of the secondhand dealer chapter carries a minimum fine of $500, up to $2,000, and up to 60 days in jail, or both, at the court's discretion, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate violation. Failing to record the license number in advertising is itself a violation, and every receipt and photograph must stay available for inspection by any law enforcement officer while on file.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Long Branch actively enforces its secondhand dealers requirements.

Auto Repair on Residential Property

Long Branch lets residents repair a motor vehicle at home under § 332-3, but only if it's registered to that property's owner or tenant, sits in a driveway, garage, carport or rear yard at least 10 feet from the property line, and weighs 8,000 pounds or less. Vehicles can't be repaired on city streets, lots or rights-of-way except under a narrow no-driveway exception.

Key details: Registration: Vehicle must be registered to owner/tenant. Location: Driveway, garage, carport or rear yard only. Setback: 10 feet from side/rear property line. Weight cap: 8,000 lbs maximum for home repair. Street repair: 12-hr repair, 48-hr street limit (no driveway).

A violation of Chapter 332 is punishable under Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article I, § 1-16, which sets a maximum fine of $2,000, up to 90 days imprisonment, up to 90 days of community service, or a combination, at the judge's discretion, with each day a violation continues charged as a separate offense.

Massage Establishments

Long Branch requires anyone operating a massage establishment to hold a city license issued through the City Clerk after an investigation by the Director of Public Safety. The annual license costs $50 and runs January 1 through December 31 with no proration, and body art establishments face separate plan-review fees.

Key details: Annual license fee: $50 (§ 227-4B). License term: Jan 1 to Dec 31, not prorated. Body art plan review fee: $250 ($125 alteration). Revocation hearing: 10 days' notice, before City Administrator. Max penalty: $2,000 fine, 90 days jail.

Violating any provision of Chapter 227, including operating without a license or employing an unlicensed operator, is punishable under the city's general penalty in Chapter 1, Article I: a fine of up to $2,000, imprisonment for up to 90 days, and/or community service of up to 90 days, at the judge's discretion (§ 227-14; § 1-16). Revocation proceeds separately through a notice-and-hearing process before the City Administrator.

Adult Entertainment

Long Branch prohibits adult entertainment uses in every zoning district except where expressly permitted, and even in a permitting zone bars them within 100 feet of churches, schools, playgrounds, parks, and public libraries under City of Long Branch Code § 345-47, adopted in 1995 to protect neighborhood character in Monmouth County, New Jersey.

Key details: Default rule: Prohibited in all zones except where expressly permitted. Buffer distance: 100 feet from listed sensitive uses. Protected from buffer: Churches, synagogues, schools through 12th grade. Also protected: Public playgrounds, pools, parks, libraries. Added by: Ordinance No. 6-95, February 14, 1995.

Operating an adult entertainment use in a zone that does not expressly permit it, or within 100 feet of a church, school, playground, park or public library where the use is otherwise allowed, is a zoning violation under § 345-47 enforceable through § 345-79. The Zoning Officer, Construction Code Official, City Planning, or a police officer may inspect the premises and pursue penalties, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense.

Compared to other cities, Long Branch takes a harder line on adult entertainment. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

The Bottom Line

Long Branch is tougher than many cities when it comes to business licensing & operations. Out of the 6 rules covered here, 3 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Long Branch, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

All of the above reflects Long Branch's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.