Paterson, NJ Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)
Key Facts
- Fine
- $50 per violation
- Court costs
- $30 under N.J. Court Rule 7:11-4
- Payment
- Payable at Violations Bureau, no court trip
- Covered locations
- Any street, sidewalk, or public place
- Code section
- § 195-5
Summary
Urinating on any Paterson street, sidewalk, or public place carries a $50 fine plus $30 in court costs, payable directly to the Violations Bureau without a court appearance.
Urinating on any street, sidewalk or any other public place in the City of Paterson is prohibited. Any person who violates the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine in the amount of $50. Fines for violation of § 195-5 are payable at the Violations Bureau without court appearance. Costs of court of $30 will be imposed, consistent with New Jersey Court Rule 7:11-4, for all such payments.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Paterson's municipal code flatly prohibits urinating on any street, sidewalk, or other public place within the city. A conviction brings a $50 fine, plus a mandatory $30 court-costs assessment required by New Jersey Court Rule 7:11-4. The ordinance is structured for quick resolution: fines are payable directly at the City's Violations Bureau without a required court appearance, though violators can still contest the citation in municipal court if they choose. There's no carve-out for tourists, dog-walkers, or late-night bar patrons, the prohibition applies anywhere in public, at any time.
Violations & Fines
A $50 fine plus $30 in court costs under N.J. Court Rule 7:11-4; payable at the Violations Bureau without a court appearance, per § 195-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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