Lakewood, NJ Special Events & Permits: Parade Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Who authorizes
- Township Committee or Board of Education
- Who may apply
- Civic associations, clubs, organized groups
- Decibel cap
- 60 decibels, even with a permit
- Governing section
- Code Section BH16-6
- Penalty for exceeding permit
- $10 to $500 per offense
Summary
Lakewood Township requires parades, outdoor dances, concerts, athletic events and social gatherings to be authorized by the Township Committee or Board of Education before they are exempt from the noise code. Civic associations and clubs may apply to the Township Committee for a special permit under Code Section BH16-6, but even a permitted event still cannot exceed 60 decibels.
Outdoor celebrations, social events, parades, dances, concerts or athletic events authorized by the Township Committee or Board of Education or conducted in connection with the recreational program of the Township or Board of Education. Any civic association, club or organized group of citizens may apply to the Township Committee or Board of Education for a special permit to conduct outdoor dances, sport or social activities wherein noise may exceed the time limits or sound limitations herein except that in no event shall 60 decibels be exceeded nor shall such event be conducted in violation of the terms expressly set forth in such permit.
Full Breakdown
' In practice this means a parade or outdoor festival organizer needs Township Committee sign-off both to hold the event and to get relief from the ordinary Section BH16-3 hour and decibel limits, and that relief is capped at 60 decibels regardless of what the permit otherwise allows. An unauthorized parade or outdoor gathering that generates noise gets no exception and is judged under the ordinary Section BH16-3 decibel ceilings and Section BH16-5 prohibited-noise list like any other noise source. This section was last amended 5-12-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-16, the same amendment that added the current holiday carve-outs.
Violations & Fines
Holding a parade or outdoor event without Township Committee or Board of Education authorization, or exceeding the 60-decibel cap or any term of an issued permit, forfeits the Section BH16-6 exception and exposes the organizer to the standard noise penalty: $10 to $500 per offense under Section BH1-2.2, with each day or occurrence a separate violation under Section BH1-2.3, enforceable by Township Police, Code Enforcement Officers and Health Inspectors under Section BH16-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Lakewood Township require a permit for a parade or outdoor event?
Who applies for an outdoor event noise permit in Lakewood?
Is there still a noise limit for a permitted parade or festival in Lakewood?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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Parade Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle parade permits.