Stafford Township, NJ Public Conduct: Public Urination (2026)
Key Facts
- Prohibited acts
- Urinating or defecating in any public place
- Public place includes
- Store and restaurant fronts, public grounds, areas and parks
- Exception
- Places provided for such use
- Maximum fine
- $1,000
- Other penalties
- Up to 90 days jail or community service
- Adopted
- Ordinance No. 96-80, 11-12-1996
Summary
In Stafford Township, including Manahawkin, it is unlawful to urinate or defecate in any public place except a place provided for that use. Public place includes the front of any store or restaurant and public grounds, areas or parks. A conviction carries a fine of up to $1,000.
PUBLIC PLACE Any place to which the general public has access and a right to resort for business, entertainment or other lawful purpose but does not necessarily mean a place devoted solely to the uses of the public. It shall also include the front or immediate area of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern or other place of business and also public grounds, areas or parks. ... It shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate in any public place except in such places as may be provided for such use. ... A. Any person violating or failing to comply with any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days or by community service of not more than 90 days, or any combination of fine, imprisonment and community service as determined in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge.
Official source re-checked November 3, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4531624; v13 updated 2025-08-12; through 08-12-2025).
Full Breakdown
Section 153-8 states the rule in one sentence: it shall be unlawful for any person to urinate or defecate in any public place except in such places as may be provided for such use. Ordinance No. 96-80, adopted 11-12-1996, added it to Chapter 153, Peace and Good Order, and moved the old violations section down to 153-9 at the time (it now sits at 153-11).
The reach of the rule depends on the chapter's own definition. Section 153-1 defines a public place as any place to which the general public has access and a right to resort for business, entertainment or other lawful purpose, even if the place is not devoted solely to public use. The definition also names the front or immediate area of any store, shop, restaurant, tavern or other place of business, and public grounds, areas or parks. A storefront, a Township park and a street all fall inside the ban. The only exception is a place provided for the purpose, such as the rest room facilities that Chapter 151 refers to in Township parks.
Chapter 153 states its purpose in section 153-2: it regulates conduct that is not subject to regulation within the New Jersey Criminal Code, Title 2C. Lewd behavior and disorderly conduct that the chapter does not specifically include are prosecuted under N.J.S.A. 2C:33-2 or other state law. Section 153-8 names no enforcing officer, so the charge is brought like any other Township ordinance violation and decided in Municipal Court. Neighboring sections cover related conduct, including disrobing in a public place (153-5) and nude bathing (153-3).
Violations & Fines
Section 153-11A punishes any Chapter 153 violation, on conviction, with a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days, community service of not more than 90 days, or any combination, as the Municipal Court Judge decides. Each successive day of a continuing violation is a separate offense. Section 153-11B makes any violation subject to summary abatement by a restraining order or injunction from a court of competent jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Stafford Township ban apply in parks and on beaches?
Is there any place where it is allowed?
What is the penalty for public urination in Stafford Township?
Does the ordinance cover the front of a store or restaurant?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stafford Township
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Public Urination in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle public urination.