Hackensack, NJ Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Chapter 119, Article V was originally adopted in 1964 as "Loitering," but the City Council repealed it in its entirety in 1983 (Ord. No. 15-83) and replaced it with the current Disorderly Conduct article, which targets fighting, threatening or environmentally destructive "improper behavior" in nonpublic areas rather than mere loitering. As a result, Hackensack has no general public loitering ordinance today. The loitering restrictions that survive are confined to City parks under Chapter 117. Section 117-3(A), part of the chapter's "Vehicles" section, makes it unlawful to loiter in an unlighted vehicle in any unlighted area of a park between sunset and sunrise, alongside related bans on parking outside designated areas and washing vehicles in the park.

Separately, § 117-6(N), added in 1990 by Ord. No. park hours fixed by § 117-7. Because both rules sit inside the Parks chapter, they reach only park property and adjacent public land, not sidewalks, business districts or other public places generally. Anyone found loitering in violation of either section can be ordered to leave and removed from the park facility under § 117-1(A), which authorizes removal and legal action for any violation of the chapter's rules and regulations.