Lakewood, NJ Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited act
- Camping on public or private property
- Private property rule
- Requires owner's express written consent
- Public property rule
- Camping barred outside authorized park areas
- Required first step
- Oral, then written warning before citation
- Outreach requirement
- Ocean County human-service worker contacted first
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. No. 2013-24
Summary
Township Code § 3-26 makes it unlawful to camp, with a tent, tarp, sleeping bag or similar shelter, on private property without the owner's written consent or on public property outside a park area where camping has been expressly authorized. Before citing anyone, officers must warn them and try to connect them with an Ocean County human-services outreach worker.
CAMP Shall mean to reside or dwell temporarily in a place, with shelter. Shelter - Shall mean and includes, without limitation, any tent, tarpaulin, lean-to, sleeping bag, bedroll, blankets, or any form of cover or protection from the elements other than clothing. Reside or dwell shall mean and includes, without limitation, conducting such activities as eating, sleeping, or the storage of personal possessions. ... § 3-26.2. Acts Prohibited. It shall be unlawful to: a. Camp upon any private property without the express written consent of the property owner or the owner's agent. b. Camp upon any public property except in any park or recreation area where camping has been expressly allowed by the officer or agency having the control, management and supervision of the park or recreational area.
Full Breakdown
Section 3-26 of the Lakewood Township Code, added by Ordinance No. 2013-24, prohibits unauthorized camping on both private and public property anywhere in the township. The code defines "camp" as residing or dwelling temporarily in a place with "shelter," meaning any tent, tarpaulin, lean-to, sleeping bag, bedroll, blankets, or other cover or protection from the elements beyond ordinary clothing, and it defines "reside or dwell" to include eating, sleeping, or storing personal possessions at the site. "Public property" is defined broadly to include streets, alleys, sidewalks, pedestrian malls, bike paths, greenways, vacant land, woodland, parking lots, and any other Township-owned or leased grounds, buildings or facilities, whether vacant or in active public use.
2, it is unlawful to camp on private property without the property owner's or agent's express written consent, or to camp on public property except in a park or recreation area where the officer or agency controlling that area has expressly allowed camping. The section builds in a graduated enforcement requirement before anyone can be cited or arrested: a law enforcement officer or Township inspector must first orally request the person stop, then follow up with a written warning if the person does not comply, and must attempt to determine whether the person needs medical or human-services help, including mental health treatment, drug or alcohol rehabilitation, or homeless services.
If the officer believes help is needed, the officer must try to contact a Designated Human Service Outreach Worker named in writing by the manager of the Ocean County Department of Human Services, who assesses the person and can redirect them to a services provider instead of a citation. Only after that process, or if the person refuses to cooperate, may the officer proceed with a citation or arrest. Enforcement authority runs to the Municipal Court of the Township of Lakewood, Lakewood police officers, and Township inspectors.
Violations & Fines
Section 3-26 sets out no separate fine schedule of its own, so a conviction falls under the township's General Penalty, Chapter 1 § 1-5.1: up to a $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in the Ocean County jail, or up to 90 days of community service. A citation or arrest cannot issue, however, until the officer has given the required oral and written warnings and attempted to secure human-services outreach through Ocean County.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can police cite someone for camping in Lakewood without warning them first?
Is camping ever allowed on public property in Lakewood Township?
What must police do before citing a homeless camper under this ordinance?
Can I camp on my own or a neighbor's private property in Lakewood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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