Regulations Governing Boardwalk Entertainers In Ocean City To Be Re-Introduced Thursday Night

Ocean City, NJ -- Ocean City is ready to introduce its proposed ordinance regulating entertainers on the boardwalk.

After a proposed ordinance regulating the performers was tabled in March so the city could further explore the idea, the proposed ordinance is ready to be introduced during the council meeting set for Thursday night at city hall, 7 p.m.

A big reason the proposed ordinance was scrapped in March was the $50 permit fee. Two teenagers told city officials the fee was too much. Mayor Jay Gillian then asked council to table the proposal, saying anytime kids are affected, “it hits me.”

In the proposed ordinance to be introduced Thursday night, there will be a $25 application fee. A band would be required to pay one fee. There will also be an annual license fee of $50 per entertainer, with a band paying one fee.

Entertainers will be permitted to perform on the ocean side of the boardwalk, within four feet of the railing opposite the street ends on 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 13th and 14th streets. They will also be allowed to perform at the oceanfront beach pavilions on the boardwalk between 5th and 14th streets, and on the ocean side of the boardwalk within four feet of the railing between 5th and 6th streets.

Boardwalk performances will be limited to between 1 p.m. and 10 p.m., and no entertainer may stay in the same spot for more than eight hours in a 24-hour period.

All entertainers must be 18 years old unless accompanied by an adult, and they will be issued badges to display their licenses that must be worn while they are playing.

The proposed ordinance applies to young performers not hired by the Boardwalk Merchants Association.

It is for those performers looking to sell a CD or make some tip money, and is designed to protect against professional performers who perform unsolicited on the boardwalk nightly and make thousands of dollars from tourists.

Council will also consider a proposed ordinance on introduction to make changes to the city’s fee ordinance.

For a full list of changes, check the agenda packet on the city’s website.

There will also be a resolution introducing the 2017 budget for the Special Improvement District, and there are 23 items on the consent agenda.

To view the full agenda, visit ocnj.us.