Howell, NJ Public Conduct: Public Alcohol Use (2026)

Section 233-2 of the Howell Township Code, part of the Public Park and Playground Facility Use Policy adopted 9-9-2014 by Ord. No. O-14-21, lists acts that are unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or other entity within any park, playground, open space, building or property of the Township of Howell. Subsection A(5) prohibits carrying, possessing or consuming any alcoholic beverage in those places, and the same clause covers narcotics or drugs. Mere possession counts, so an unopened container carried into a Township park is within the text.

There are two exceptions. The ban does not apply to an authorized official of the Township in pursuit of an official duty or to a person having prior written permission from the Township, and the alcohol clause itself carries the words unless specifically permitted by the Township. The Township Council also reserves the right under § 233-2B to prohibit, rescind or change use of parks and facilities regardless of prior approval.

The ban follows organized use of facilities. Under § 233-4B, organizations or groups failing to abide by the policy will be asked to curtail their events and can be denied further use of Township facilities. Parks also have hours: indoor activities must end by 11:00 p.m. unless prior written approval is obtained, unlighted outdoor activities end by sunset, and lighted facilities end by 10:00 p.m. unless the Township approves otherwise.

Other Howell chapters repeat the point for specific sites. The skateboard park rules in § 260-1H state that alcoholic beverages are not permitted on any Township property. Chapter 220, Peace and Good Order, separately carries a public intoxication section at § 220-1.

Enforcement under § 233-12 belongs to the Code Enforcement Officer, the Director of Land Use or any member of the Township of Howell Police Department.