Union County, NJ Public Conduct: Loitering Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Loitering definition
- Section 115-3.G, county property only
- Police order to leave
- Section 115-31.A
- Vehicle curfew window
- 1 hr after sunset to 11 p.m. / 30-min cap overnight
- Schedule fine
- $49 per subsection (A, B, or C)
- Scope
- County-owned/leased/controlled property only
Summary
Union County Police can order anyone to leave county-owned or county-controlled land if their presence is likely to cause excessive noise, disorder, or an unlawful late-night vehicle stay. Refusing to leave after being ordered is itself a violation under Safety Code Section 115-31, with fines of $49 on the county schedule.
A. Orders to leave by a Union County Police officer. In order to ensure safety or preserve the public peace, a person may be ordered to leave a location either on or near any property owned or controlled by the County of Union whenever any Union County Police officer, in the exercise of reasonable judgment, decides that the presence of such person is causing or likely to cause a violation of sub-sections (b) or (c) of this section. Any person who refuses to leave after being ordered to do so by a police officer shall be guilty of a violation of this section. B. Causing excessive noise or disorder. No person shall cause excessive noise or disorder so as to interfere with the sleep or peace and quiet of any person or neighborhood.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
G as the continued presence of any person on or near property owned or controlled by Union County that a police officer, exercising reasonable judgment, deems adverse to public health, safety or peace; the definition specifically excludes standing or speaking in a reasonable, orderly, lawful manner. Section 115-31 then sets the operative rules in three parts. Subsection A lets a Union County Police officer order a person to leave a location on or near county property when the officer reasonably judges the person's presence is causing or likely to cause a violation of subsections B or C; refusing to leave after being so ordered is itself a violation.
Subsection B bars causing excessive noise or disorder that interferes with the sleep or peace and quiet of any person or neighborhood. , and bars a vehicle from standing longer than 30 minutes between one hour after sunset and a half hour before sunrise, unless its occupants are attending a permitted gathering. B jurisdictional clause limits the whole Public Safety Code to county-owned, leased or controlled property, these loitering rules apply on county parks, parkways and other county land, not on municipal sidewalks or private property within Elizabeth or the county's other towns.
Violations & Fines
The Local Supplemental Violations Bureau Schedule lists three separate $49 payable fines: Section 115-31A for refusing a police order to leave, Section 115-31B for causing excessive noise or disorder, and Section 115-31C for unlawfully remaining in a vehicle during the restricted overnight hours. Each subsection is charged and fined independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Union County Police order someone to leave a county park?
How long can I sit in a parked car in a Union County park at night?
What counts as loitering under Union County's code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union County
Compare Union County to another location·View the New Jersey public conduct overview
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