Stafford Township, NJ Special Events & Permits: Block Party Permits (2026)

Chapter 65 defines a block party as a neighborhood gathering of persons who reside on the portion of a residential street sought to be closed. Section 65-2 requires a permit before anyone uses a public street, sidewalk or public right-of-way for one. The application goes to the Township Clerk with a $20 fee not less than 30 days before the proposed date. It must list the contact person, the date and start and end times (ending no later than 11:00 p.m.), the street and cross streets, the planned activities, large items such as dunk tanks, inflatable jumps, stages and trailers, any music, the number and location of loudspeakers, whether extra automated trash cans are wanted, and whether off-duty police will be hired under Chapter 41, Article III. Signatures of the property owners on the street or portion consent to the party and the closure.

The Clerk requests a certified list of property owners from the Tax Assessor and forwards the file to the Chief of Police and the Township Administrator. The Chief checks that the party will not substantially impede traffic, damage persons or property, or block fire-fighting equipment. Under N.J.S.A. 40:67-16.9 the Township Administrator can close a Township-owned street only if it is a cul-de-sac, dead-end or circular street; the closed portion is 1/2 mile or less and intersected by no more than two other streets; the speed limit is 25 mph or less; the street has no more than two lanes and no active bus stop; it reopens by 11:00 p.m.; and warning signs are posted. Streets owned by Ocean County, the State of New Jersey or any other public entity do not qualify.

Applicants must provide a certificate of insurance naming the Township as additional insured with general liability, bodily injury and property damage limits of not less than $1,000,000. An individual not acting for an organization can request a hardship waiver from the Township Administrator, and applicants insured by the Ocean County Joint Insurance Fund are exempt. No permit issues for a street that had one within the last calendar year or whose earlier permit was revoked.