Teenagers thinking about pulling all-nighters in Jersey Shore towns this summer should think again as many towns have implemented curfews targeting social-media fueled pop-up parties on beaches and boardwalk mayhem.
More than 20 Shore towns enforce curfews for people under 18 years old out without a parent, and several close the beach overnight to all, regardless of age. Some can come with a hefty cost for parents, like the recently enacted rules in North Wildwood that include the potential for $250 fines.
Even towns that haven’t had issues with out-of-control gatherings have curfews on the books to get ahead of those concerns.
The start times of the curfews range from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. and some get pretty complicated - check out North Wildwood’s three-tiered, multi-date system. Most towns have exceptions for employment, medical or religious purposes.
Here’s the latest town-by-town update on Jersey Shore curfew rules:
Asbury Park
13 and younger: 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Between 14 and 17: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Atlantic City
Anyone under 18: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Avalon
There is no curfew in Avalon. A previously enacted curfew was repealed in 2014.
Avon-by-The-Sea
There is no youth curfew in Avon-by-The-Sea. The beach is closed to everyone except fishermen between midnight and 6 a.m.
Barnegat Light
Anyone under 18: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Bay Head
Bay Head does not have a curfew in the summer. The town has a curfew for the several days around Halloween.
Beach Haven
Anyone under 18: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Belmar
There is no curfew in Belmar.
Bradley Beach
13 and younger: 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Between 14 and 17: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Brick
Brick does not have a curfew in the summer. The town has a curfew for the several days around Halloween.
Brigantine
Anyone under 18, the beach and parks: One hour after sunset to sunrise.
Anyone under 18, all other public places: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Cape May City
Anyone under 18: Midnight to 6 a.m. between May 1 and Sept. 30
There is also a curfew for the several days around Halloween.
Cape May Point
Anyone under 18: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Oct. 1 and April 30
Anyone under 18: Midnight to 6 a.m. between May 1 and Sept. 30
Deal
There is no curfew in Deal.
Harvey Cedars
Anyone under 18: Midnight to 6 a.m.
Island Beach State Park
The park is closed to all visitors between dusk and 8 a.m.
Lavallette
There is no permanent curfew in Lavallette’s borough ordinances. It’s unclear if a temporary curfew in place last summer remains in effect for the 2024 season.
Loch Arbour
There is no curfew in Loch Arbour.
Long Beach Township
Anyone under 18: Midnight to 5 a.m.
Over 18 and older: Gatherings of more than 10 people are banned on the beach between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
Long Branch
There is no curfew in Long Branch. Temporary curfews previously in place are no longer in effect.
Longport
Anyone under 18: 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Manasquan
Manasquan does not have a curfew in the summer. The town has a curfew for the several days around Halloween.
Mantoloking
Anyone under 18: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
A 2023 resolution to repeal Mantoloking’s curfew was not passed.
Margate
Anyone under 18: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Monmouth Beach
There is no youth curfew in Monmouth Beach.
North Wildwood
Anyone under 18: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. between May 15 and Sept. 16, and from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Sept. 17 and May 14.
The curfew start time is 10 p.m. for the few days around Halloween.
Ocean City
Anyone under 18: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Ocean Grove (Neptune)
Under 13: 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Between 14 and 17: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Ortley Beach (Barrier Island section of Toms River)
Anyone under 18: 10 p.m. to 5 p.m. between May 24 and Sept. 3
Sandy Hook
The park is closed to all visitors between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Sea Bright
Anyone under 18: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
Sea Girt
There is no curfew in Sea Girt.
Sea Isle City
Anyone under 18, May 15 to Sept. 15.: Midnight to 6 a.m.
Anyone under 18, Sept. 16 to May 14: 9:30 p.m. to 6 a.m., Sunday through Thursday; 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., Friday and Saturday.
The curfew starts at 7 p.m. on the few days around Halloween, with the exception of Halloween night.
Seaside Heights
Anyone under 18: 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.
Seaside Park
There is no curfew in Seaside Park.
Seven Presidents (Long Branch)
The park is closed to all visitors between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Ship Bottom
Anyone under 18: Midnight to 6 a.m.
Spring Lake
All ages: The beach is closed after midnight, except for those surf-fishing.
Stone Harbor
Anyone under 18: Midnight to 6 a.m.
Strathmere (Upper Township)
There is no curfew in Upper Township.
Surf City
There is no curfew in Surf City.
Ventnor
Anyone under 18: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. between July 1 and Aug. 31; 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Sept. 1 and June 30.
Wildwood
Anyone under 18: 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Wildwood Crest
- Under 14, weekdays, Sept. 15 - May 15: 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; weekends and the night before legal holidays and “closed school” days, Sept. 15 - May 15: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.; between May 16 and Sept. 14: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Ages 14-17, weekdays, Sept. 15 - May 15: 11 p.m. to 6 a.m.; weekends and the night before legal holidays and “closed school” days, Sept. 15 - May 15: midnight to 6 a.m.; between May 16 and Sept. 14: Midnight - 6 a.m.
- Ages 16-17, between May 16 and Sept. 14: 1 a.m. to 6 a.m.
Stories by Katie Kausch
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Katie Kausch may be reached at kkausch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KatieKausch.