NJ Bars Towns From Regulating Kids' Lemonade Stands

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey children who want to set up a lemonade stand in their front yard can do so now without fear that their town will shut them down under a new law signed Monday by Gov. Phil Murphy.

The law expands on one enacted in 2015 that allows kids to shovel snow or mow lawns without having to get a license or permit from the town to operate a business temporarily.

It applies to temporary businesses operated by kids who are under 18 years old, and prohibits towns from requiring children or teens to get a permit or a license to do so. It takes effect immediately.

The law was prompted by a series of reports from other states about towns shutting down kids' lemonade stands for a lack of a permit.

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"Setting up a lemonade stand or mowing a few neighbors’ lawns to earn a little spending money is how many childhood summers are spent," said Assemblyman Nicholas Chiaravalloti (D-31st District), who sponsored the Assembly bill. "Through these activities, children can learn how to save money and seize an opportunity to fuel their entrepreneurial spirit. Some children even donate their earnings to charity."

"In the end, they’re just kids who shouldn’t have to pay $100 to $200 in permit costs in order to sell lemonade for a few hours," Chiaravalloti said. "As long as it’s occasional and not a full-fledged business, then children should not have to get a permit or a license which would only take away from their very minimal earnings."

"Nobody is getting sick because a 6-year-old’s lemonade stand didn’t get a health inspection, and professional vendors aren’t being driven out of business by the $5 a child might collect from supportive neighbors," said state Sen. Matt Doherty (R-23rd District), who sponsored the 2015 "Right to Shovel" law. "Unfortunately, those are the exact excuses towns have used to put the smack down on entrepreneurial kids from coast to coast. It’s absolute nonsense that should never have been tolerated in New Jersey and I’m pleased that Governor Murphy agrees."

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