Public Conduct in Paterson, NJ (2026)
4 verified public conduct rules for Paterson, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Public Urination
Urinating on any Paterson street, sidewalk, or public place carries a $50 fine plus $30 in court costs, payable directly to the Violations Bureau without a court appearance.
Paterson Bans Public Urination
Some RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 195-5
Urinating on any street, sidewalk or any other public place in the City of Paterson is prohibited. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine in the amount of $50. Fines for violation of § 195-5 are payable at the Violations Bureau without court appearance. Costs of court of $30 will be imposed, consistent with New Jersey Court R...
Loitering Rules
Paterson bans criminal gang loitering in police-designated public areas, letting officers order suspected gang members to disperse or face arrest, with penalties up to $1,250 and 90 days in jail.
Paterson Criminal Gang Loitering Ban
Significant RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 315-1
Whenever a police officer observes an individual whose actions or conduct gives the officer reasonable cause to believe that person is a member of a criminal street gang engaged in gang loitering with one or more persons in any public place designated under § 315-2 of this article, the police officer shall: inform all such persons that they are engaged in gang loitering within an area in which ...
Outdoor Smoking Restrictions
Paterson prohibits smoking anywhere inside city parks, playgrounds and ball fields, including adjacent lots posted with no-smoking signs.
Paterson Bans Smoking in Parks
Significant RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 421-2
No person shall smoke within the boundaries of public parks, playgrounds, ball fields, and similar property that is owned or otherwise possessed by the City of Paterson upon which the public is invited or upon which the public is permitted and where individuals gather for recreational activities, including all areas adjacent to such facilities, including, but not limited to, any parking area, d...
Public Alcohol Use
Paterson bans consuming alcohol on any public street, sidewalk, park, parking lot or other public property citywide, at any hour, with only a limited special-permit exception.
Paterson Public Alcohol Consumption Ban
Significant RestrictionsPaterson City Code § 113-23
No person shall consume alcoholic beverages or cannabis on any of the public streets, sidewalks, parking lots, roadways, pathways, playgrounds, parks or quasi-public areas or any other public property whatsoever within the city at any hour of the day or night. A special permit may be issued for alcohol in such areas in accordance with applicable statutes, but not for cannabis as defined herein.
Looking for Passaic County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Paterson city rules.
Public Conduct in Passaic County →