TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA

 

ORDINANCE 05-2026

 

ORDINANCE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MULLICA AMENDING ARTICLE II: GENERAL LEGISLATION CHAPTER 187 TO CREATE NEW SECTION TITLED SPECIAL EVENTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY

 

 

WHEREAS, the Township Committee finds it necessary and proper to create a new Ordinance regulating special events and permitting special events permits to be issued for property owners who desire to conduct said events on private property; and

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED Township Committee of the Township of Mullica, County of Atlantic, State of New Jersey, that Chapter 187 shall hereby be amended and supplemented as follows:

 

SECTION 1.     Chapter 187 of the Township Code of the Township of Mullica shall hereby be entitled, “Special Event Permits on Private Property” and shall read as follows:

 

  • 187-1. Definitions.

 

For the purpose of this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

 

SPECIAL EVENT — Any exhibition, show, athletic contest, running race, bike-a-thon, block

party, parade, entertainment, meeting, or other similar event sponsored by an organized group or

individual having similar or common purpose or goal, occurring on or proceeding on Private Property within the Township where the special event would significantly disrupt the normal flow of vehicular traffic along a public road or require a public road to be blocked and is open to the public.

 

  • 187-2. Application for permit.

 

  1. An application for a permit to conduct a special event shall be made to the Township

Clerk in writing by the person, persons or organization sponsoring said event. Such

application shall provide the following information:

 

(1) The name, address and telephone number of the person requesting the permit.

 

(2) The name, address and telephone number of the organization or group he or she is

representing.

 

(3) The name, address and telephone number of the person or persons who will act as

chairman of the special event and be responsible for the conduct thereof.

 

(4) The purpose of the event.

(5) The estimated number of persons to participate in and attend the event.

 

(6) The estimate number and type of vehicles, if any, to participate.

 

(7) The date and time of the event, including any set-up or clean-up period.

 

(8) The location where the event is to be held, including the specific assembly and            dispersal locations and the specific route and the plans for assembly and dispersal of the

participants.

 

(9) The attachment of any other required licenses or permits where appropriate.

 

(10) The type, size description, and location of any signs to be erected in connection with             the event.

 

(11) Any further information that officials of the Township determine to be necessary to

properly provide for traffic control, crowd control and protection of the general public

 

  1. A non-refundable application fee of $100 shall be required with all applications except in

cases wherein the organized group or individual is recognized as a public charity by the                State of New Jersey or the IRS, and the applicant submits a determination letter, or the               special event is for political discourse, debate or other protected First Amendment        activities.

 

  • 187-3. Review of application; issuance or denial of permit.

 

  1. The application for a special event shall be reviewed by the appropriate officials of the Township of Mullica, including the Township Committee, the Chief of Police, Zoning Officer, and Superintendent of Public Works for compliance with this article and other ordinances, community standards, scheduling conflicts, special services required, and any other further information required. Upon full review of the application and the recommendations for approval or denial, the Township Clerk shall be authorized to issue a permit for the special event if approved. Approval or denial of such permit shall be made within 15 days of receipt of a complete application by the Township. The permit may be approved with special conditions placed on the applicant if warranted and for good cause as determined by the discretion of the Township Committee of the Township of Mullica, the Chief of Police, and/or Superintendent of Public Works including requiring the installation of temporary traffic control devices and/or the ability to require the police department maintain and direct traffic for the event with all costs to be paid by the applicant. The permit is contingent on the possession of any other permits or licenses required by local state laws and regulations.

 

  1. Applications can be denied at the discretion of the Township. The Township shall have the authority to revoke a permit upon a finding of violation of any rule or ordinance or upon other good cause shown. Good Clause to deny an application shall include the inability to impose reasonable conditions on the application which would otherwise ensure the health and safety of the public or the Applicant’s refusal to comply with said conditions.

 

  1. Priority order of applications.

 

(1) Applications for special events will be scheduled on a first-come-first served basis. When more than one complete application is received for the same         date(s), the following priority order will apply:

 

(a) Meetings or events directly sponsored by the Township Committee, Township

employees for municipal purposes, and events directly sponsored by the Township                        Emergency Services Departments.

 

(b) Meetings of Municipal advisory boards and committees.

 

(c) Meetings or events directly sponsored by Township Departments and/or

employees for municipal purposes.

 

(d) Meetings held for the discussion of municipal issues.

 

(e) Youth recreational activities or service organizations.

 

(f) Adult member organizations.

 

(2) In all instances, priority is given to Mullica Township residents.

 

  • 187-4. Time limit for applications.

 

Applications for such special event permits shall be made to the Township of Mullica not less than 30 days in advance of the date on which said special event is sought to be held.

 

  • 187-5. Signs.

 

Any signs erected in connection with a properly approved special event shall be removed within 24 hours of the conclusion of the event.

 

  • 187-6. Special conditions; street closings.

 

Any permit issued under this article may contain conditions reasonably calculated to reduce or minimize dangers to vehicular or pedestrian traffic and the public health, safety and welfare including, but not limited to changes in the date, time, duration or number of participants or attendees as requested by the applicant. Further, for the purposes of public safety and welfare, the Chief of Police may require and order the temporary closing of streets and/or the temporary prohibition of parking along such streets during the event, and shall direct the posting of property warning signs in connection with said event, as provided by law.

 

  • 187-7. Insurance/indemnification.

 

  1. The holder of a special events permit shall furnish proof of liability insurance coverage to the Township at least 10 days prior to the event, in amounts determined by the             Township. The insurance shall cover the entire period of the event including the set-up           and clean-up periods. The Township of Mullica shall be named on the policy as an    additional insured.

 

  1. The holder of a special events permit shall agree in writing to indemnify, save harmless and defend the Township of Mullica, its elected and appointed officials, its employees,            agents, volunteers and others working on behalf of the Township, from and against any     and all claims, losses, costs, attorneys’ fees, damages, or injury, including death and/or        property loss, expense claims or demands arising out of holder’s use of the named       facilities, including all suits or actions of every kind or description brought against the       Township, either individually or jointly with holder for or on account of any damage or             injury to any person or persons or property, caused or occasioned or alleged to have been caused by, or on account of, any of the activities conducted by or caused to be conducted            by holder, or through any negligence or alleged negligence in safeguarding the            facility(ies), participants, or members of the public, or through any act, omission or fault or alleged act, omission or fault of the holder, its employees, agents, volunteers,      subcontractors or others under the direction, control or under any contractual relationship                 with the holder.

 

  1. All insurance applications shall identify and name the Township as an additional insured. All applicants must agree to indemnify and hold the Township harmless of any injury or loss that occurs at the special event.

 

  1. Applicants granted special events permits are responsible for the proper supervision of all participants and spectators.

 

  • 187-8. Permit nontransferable.

 

A special event permit shall be valid for the applicant thereof and shall not be transferable to any other individual, corporation, group or organization.

 

  • 187-9. Fees for Municipal services.

 

If it is determined by the appropriate officials of the Township of Mullica that additional materials or personnel costs shall be required for the purpose of maintaining the general health, safety and welfare of attendees or participants in the special event, or the community in general, the Township reserves the right to require reimbursement of such costs. If reimbursement is required, the holder of the permit shall deposit with the Chief Financial Officer a sum of money to be determined by the Township to be a reasonable estimate of the costs required. The Chief Financial Officer will make the determination when said deposit is required. After the conduct of the special event, the holder of the permit shall be required to pay the Township any additional amount determined to be due in reimbursement of the Township’s costs within 30 days. In the event that the sum of money so deposited in advance exceeds the funds needed, the Township shall refund any excess deposit within 30 days after the holding of said special event. Services and Township personnel covered by this section shall include but not be limited to additional police, fire, rescue squad, and public works service personnel.

 

 

  • 187-10. Violations and penalties; when effective.

 

  1. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership or other entity violating the provisions of this article shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,250.00 and/or imprisonment not to exceed 30 days.

 

  1. This article shall take effect upon its adoption and publication as provided by law.

 

  • 187-11. Appeal procedure.

 

Any applicant shall have the right to appeal the denial of any permit under this article to the Township Committee. The denied applicant shall make the appeal within five days after receipt of the denial by filing a written notice of appeal with the Township Clerk. The Township Committee shall act upon the appeal within 30 days after receipt of the same.

 

SECTION 2.              All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such inconsistencies.

 

SECTION 3.              If any section, subsection, paragraph, clause or provision of this ordinance shall be adjudged to be invalid, such adjudication shall apply only to such action, subsection, paragraph, clause or provision and the remainder of this ordinance shall be deemed valid and effective.

 

SECTION 4.              This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage and publication in the manner required by New Jersey law

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the foregoing ordinance was introduced and passed at a meeting of the Township Committee of the Township of Mullica, held on February 24, 2026.  Ordinance #05-2026 will be further considered for final passage after public hearing at a meeting of said Township Committee to be held in the Mullica Township School, 500 Elwood Road, Elwood, New Jersey, on March 24, 2026, beginning at 7:00 P.M., at which time and place all persons interested will be given an opportunity to be heard concerning such ordinance A copy of this Ordinance is available online and a copy shall be made immediately available at the Township Clerk’s Office in the Township Municipal Building located at 4528 S. White Horse Pike, Elwood, New Jersey at no cost to those members of the general public requesting same.

 

Monica Newton,

Acting Municipal Clerk

Mullica Township

 

Ord 05-2026 Amending Special Events Permit DRAFT NEW FIRST READING