Bayonne, NJ Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Bayonne City Code Sec 3-8.1 defines loitering as remaining idle in essentially one location, including spending time idly, loafing, walking aimlessly, or consuming an alcoholic beverage in a public place, and defines public place broadly to include streets, sidewalks, storefronts, parks, and even private lots not controlled by the person charged. Section 3-8.2 prohibits loitering that creates a danger of a breach of the peace, causes disturbance or annoyance to others' comfort and repose, obstructs the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles, or involves obstructing, molesting, or interfering with someone lawfully in a public place, including unsolicited offensive or insulting remarks meant to annoy.

Under Sec 3-8.3, a police officer who reasonably judges that a person's presence is causing or likely to cause any of those conditions may order the person to leave, and refusal to leave after being so ordered is itself a violation. Section 3-8.4 ties the penalty to Chapter 1, Section 1-5, Bayonne's general penalty provision, which under Sec 1-5.1 sets a maximum of a fine not exceeding $1,250, imprisonment up to 90 days, or community service up to 90 days, with Sec 1-5.3 adding a repeat-offender fine for a second violation of the same provision within a year.