Monroe Township (Middlesex County), NJ Public Conduct: Aggressive Panhandling (2026)

Monroe's rule sits in Chapter 76, Peace and Good Order, adopted by the Township Council 8-2-76 by Ord. No. 292. Paragraph (22) of § 76-1A does not use the word aggressive and sets no distance from banks or crosswalks, no hours and no count of requests. It prohibits the act itself, begging or gathering alms, in two settings: going from door to door, and placing oneself on any sidewalk, street or store or other public place or places.

Commercial selling and soliciting run through a different chapter. Chapter 77, Peddling and Soliciting, requires a solicitation permit from the Township of Monroe for commercial sales under § 77-3, and that section does not apply to solicitation or canvassing for charitable, political, religious, nonprofit or other noncommercial purposes. Section 77-10 still limits conduct by permit and badge holders: no entering or attempting to enter a home without an express invitation from the occupant, no conduct that becomes objectionable to or annoys an occupant of any house, and no solicitation, commercial or noncommercial, at a private residence where a 'No Solicitation' sign is posted on the property. Noncommercial solicitation for charitable, political, religious or nonprofit purposes is limited to between 8:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. unless the occupant invited the solicitor in or an appointment was made.

Section 77-10.1 creates a Do Not Knock Registry in the Township Clerk's office listing addresses where the owner or occupant has asked to prohibit canvassing, soliciting, peddling, itinerant vending or door-to-door sales. There is no charge for registering, and a resident stays on the list until a written request for removal is made to the Township Clerk.

The Monroe Township Police Department enforces Chapter 76. Under § 76-5 officers can arrest without a warrant for a violation committed in their presence or sight and bring the person before the Municipal Judge.