Business Licensing & Operations in Toms River, NJ (2026)
7 verified business licensing & operations rules for Toms River, New Jersey, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Massage Establishments
Operating a massage business or working as a masseur or masseuse in Toms River Township requires a separate license from the Township Clerk; the Township Council can deny or reject applicants with a criminal record or evidence of bad character.
Toms River Massage Establishment License
Significant RestrictionsToms River Township Code § 357-1
No person, firm or corporation shall operate any establishment or utilize any premises in the Township of Toms River as or for a massage business unless and until there first has been obtained a license for such establishment or premises from the Township Clerk of the Township of Toms River in accordance with the terms and provisions of this chapter.
Tattoo & Body Modification
Toms River Township's zoning code excludes tattoo parlors and body piercing shops from the personal-service uses permitted in the Village Business and Village Seaport Zones, so these businesses need a different commercial zone to open legally.
Toms River zoning bars tattoo parlors from village zones
Significant RestrictionsToms River Township Code § 348-10.22 (VB Village Business Zone, Permitted uses)
Personal service establishments, which may include the following but shall not include tattoo parlors and body piercing: [Amended 12-27-2006 by Ord. No. 4064-06] (a) Barbershops and beauty shops. (b) Tailoring and dressmaking shops. (c) Dry-cleaning and laundry collection shops, but not including self-service laundries. (d) Shoe repair shops. (e) Appliance repair shops. (f) R...
Tobacco Retail License
Toms River Township bars tobacco retailers from operating a vending machine that dispenses e-cigarettes or tobacco within 1,000 feet of any school, backing it with signage and underage-sale rules enforced by the Board of Health.
Toms River Vape Retailer School-Zone Rule
Some RestrictionsToms River Township Code § 462-6(C)
Except for premises described in § 462-5B, it shall be unlawful for a tobacco retailer to operate a vending machine that dispenses tobacco, tobacco products, or electronic smoking devices, or associated products, in or on any premises, or portion thereof within 1,000 feet of any public or private school or other property used primarily for school purposes.
Secondhand Dealers
Toms River Township requires every buyer, seller or pawnbroker of precious metals, jewelry, coins, electronics, tools or other secondhand goods to hold a dealer's license from the Municipal Clerk before doing business. The Police Chief runs an FBI fingerprint background check on each applicant, and licensed dealers must post a $10,000 surety bond, pay license fees, and photograph every seller and item under Chapter 415.
Toms River Secondhand Dealer Licensing Rules
Significant RestrictionsToms River Township Code § 415-3A, D
No person, partnership, limited-liability company, corporation, or other entity shall engage in the business of buying, selling, or pawning of precious metals or other secondhand goods, as defined above, within the jurisdiction of the municipality, without having first obtained a license therefor from the Municipal Clerk, which license shall bear a number issued by the Municipal Clerk. ... Lice...
Pawnbrokers
Toms River Township treats pawnbrokers as a category of licensed 'dealer' under Chapter 415, requiring a numbered Municipal Clerk license, an FBI fingerprint background check, and a $10,000 bond before anyone can lend money against or buy back pledged property.
Toms River Pawnbroker Licensing
Some RestrictionsToms River Township Code § 415-3
No person, partnership, limited-liability company, corporation, or other entity shall engage in the business of buying, selling, or pawning of precious metals or other secondhand goods, as defined above, within the jurisdiction of the municipality, without having first obtained a license therefor from the Municipal Clerk, which license shall bear a number issued by the Municipal Clerk. B. Th...
Auto Repair on Residential Property
Toms River treats disruptive home auto repair as a nuisance rather than a licensing issue: repairing, rebuilding or testing vehicles, off-road vehicles or motorboats in or near a residential zone is barred once it annoys or disturbs neighbors.
Toms River Home Auto Repair Limits
Some RestrictionsToms River Township Code § 368-3.I
Vehicle repairs or testing. Repairing, rebuilding, modifying or testing any motor vehicle, off-road vehicle or motorboat in or near a residential land use zone in such a manner as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort or repose of persons in any dwelling, hotel or any other type of residence, or of any persons in the vicinity. J. Standing motor vehicles. Operating or permitting the operatio...
Towing Companies
Toms River Township caps non-consent tow licenses at five and routes all police-called tows through a CAD-monitored rotation; operators may only respond to a crash scene if the vehicle's driver or owner calls them directly or the Police Department dispatches them through the official rotation channel.
Toms River Non-Consent Towing Rules
Significant RestrictionsToms River Township Code § 468-9K
No towing operator, licensed under this chapter or otherwise, shall respond to the scene of an accident except upon the request of the driver or owner of the vehicles involved or except upon notification by the channel of communication established by the Police Department to notify licensed towing operators of the necessity of their presence. The officer investigating accidents which require to...