Union County, NJ Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing ordinance
- Ord. 680-2009, §§ 107-10 to 107-16
- Applies to
- county-owned/operated skateboard facilities, county park property
- Helmet standard
- ANSI Z90.4, Snell 1990, or ASTM
- First offense fine
- $100 per violation
- Repeat offense fine
- $200 plus privilege revocation
- Enforcing agency
- Union County Police / Dept. of Parks & Recreation
Summary
Union County requires a helmet at any skateboard facility it owns or operates, or that sits on county park property. Adopted as Ordinance 680-2009, the rule applies to riders of every age at county-run skate parks and carries escalating fines plus loss of skating privileges for repeat violators.
There is hereby established the County of Union Protective Head Gear Ordianance, which requires the use of protective Head Gear whenever utilizing a Skateboard Facility owned or operated by the County of Union, or maintained on County Park Property. ... No person shall utilize a Skateboard Facility owned or operated by the County of Union, or maintained on County Park Property without wearing a properly fitted and fastened helmet which meets the standards of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI Z90.4 bicycle helmet standard), the Snell Memorial Foundation's 1990 Standard for Protective Headgear for Use in Bicycling, the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standard or other such standard, as appropriate. ... A person who violates any provision of this ordinance, for a first offense, shall be fined a sum of One hundred dollars ($100.00) for each violation; for a second and subsequent offense shall be fined a sum of Two hundred dollars ($200.00), for each violation, and revocation of the privilege to use any Skateboard Facility within the County.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
The Board of County Commissioners adopted the Protective Head Gear Ordinance on January 4, 2009 by Ordinance No. 680-2009, codified at Laws of Union County §§ 107-10 through 107-16. The Board found that the Department of Parks and Recreation owns or operates skateboard facilities at county parks and declared that head protection is required at every one of them to protect riders' health and safety. Section 107-11 defines "utilization" broadly: anyone inside the gated area of a skateboard facility is covered, regardless of whether they are actively riding.
4 bicycle helmet standard, the Snell Memorial Foundation's 1990 protective headgear standard, or an equivalent ASTM standard. The Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, or a designee, is charged with enforcement under § 107-14 and notifies the Union County Police Department of violations; police officers may issue summonses independently, without a prior warning notice being a prerequisite. The County Counsel or municipal prosecutors handle prosecution. The ordinance carries a severability clause (§ 107-15), and it took effect in the manner provided by law under § 107-16.
This rule binds only county-owned or county-operated skateboard facilities and county park property; it does not reach privately owned skate parks or skateboarding on municipal streets and sidewalks, which fall under each municipality's own code.
Violations & Fines
A first offense draws a $100 fine per violation; a second or subsequent offense draws a $200 fine per violation plus revocation of the rider's privilege to use any skateboard facility in the county, under § 107-13. The Director of Parks and Recreation or a designee refers violations to the Union County Police Department, which may issue a summons without first giving warning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a helmet at a Union County skate park?
What is the fine for skating without a helmet in a county park?
Does this helmet rule apply to my town's own skate park?
Who enforces the county skateboard helmet rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union County
Compare Union County to another location·View the New Jersey public conduct overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.