Howell, NJ Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)

Chapter 195, Loitering, was adopted by the Township of Howell by Ord. No. O-94-20 (§ 3-30 of the 1974 Code). Section 195-1 defines loitering as remaining idle in essentially one location, including spending time idly loafing, to be dilatory, to linger, to stay, to saunter, to delay, to stand around, and the colloquial expression hanging around. A public place covers all streets, sidewalks, boulevards, alleys or other public ways and any and all public parks, squares, spaces, grounds and buildings, and it includes the front or immediate area of any store, shop, restaurant, grounds, areas, parks or other public recreational areas.

Idling alone is not the offense. Section 195-2 reaches loitering in a public place only when it is done in such a manner as to do one of four things. Subsection A covers causing or creating an immediate, actual physical violent reaction from any person that threatens the peace and order of the public. Subsection B covers creating a disturbance or annoyance to the comfort and repose of any person of ordinary sensibilities so that the person reacts immediately in a way that threatens physical violence. Subsection C covers obstructing the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles. Subsection D covers obstructing, molesting or interfering with any person lawfully in a public place, including unsolicited remarks of an offensive, disgusting or insulting nature calculated to annoy or disturb.

Section 195-3 gives the police officer the enforcement step. Whenever an officer, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, decides that a person's presence in a public place is causing or is likely to cause any of the conditions in § 195-2, and deems it necessary for the preservation of the public peace and safety, the officer can order that person to leave that place. Anyone who refuses to leave after being ordered is guilty of a violation of the chapter.