East Brunswick, NJ Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

Section 158-8(I), headed Loitering and boisterousness, sits under the lead-in: No person in a park shall engage in any of the following activities. It bars anyone from sleeping or protractedly lounging on the seats or benches or other areas. The same sentence also bars loud, boisterous, threatening, abusive, insulting or indecent language and any disorderly conduct or behavior tending to a breach of the public peace. The Code prints no time limit that turns lounging into protracted lounging.

The rule reaches only a park, which § 158-2 defines as any park, play area, natural area, reservation, field, beach, recreation center or other area the Township owns, or uses, and devotes to active or passive recreation or natural resource management. The text of § 158-8(I) refers to seats, benches and other areas in a park; it does not mention sidewalks or streets. Section 161-2, which covers any public place, bars any sport, game or other activity which endangers, frightens or annoys persons there.

Related park rules add to the sitting restrictions. Section 158-3(B)(2) bars climbing any tree or wall, and bars standing or sitting upon monuments, vases, fountains, railing, fences or structures or upon any other property not designated or customarily used for such purposes. Section 158-8(D) bars occupying any seat or bench, or entering into or loitering or remaining in any pavilion or other park structure, reserved and designated for the opposite sex, with an exception for children under six years of age. Section 158-8(F) bars entering an area posted Closed to the Public.

The Director of Parks, Park Rangers and designated Department of Parks employees enforce Chapter 158, with authority under § 158-11 to eject any person acting in violation and to issue summonses before the Municipal Court. Park hours are posted at each park under § 158-10(A).