SEASIDE HEIGHTS – Borough officials have announced a plan that will take them through the first half of the summer easing some restrictions, but not allowing swimming.
“Although we believe many of the restrictions will remain in place for the entire summer, we are still patiently waiting, well perhaps less patiently at this point, for guidance from Governor Murphy,” said Mayor Anthony Vaz. “Make no mistake about it, our beach and boardwalk operations will be very different from past years. In addition to whatever restrictions are imposed by state government on restaurants, bars, retail stores and amusements, we have the added problem at the local government level of a likely and substantial loss of revenue that has led to a reduction in manpower resources. This means less beach attendants, less lifeguards and less seasonal laborers. Many of the restrictions that we have developed arise from the budget crisis we are working through. And we cannot sustain beach and boardwalk operations on the backs of local taxpayers. Nonetheless, we will work hard to give our visitors a worthwhile experience but we ask for everybody’s continued patience and understanding,” added Vaz.
Seaside Heights Emergency Management Coordinator, Erik Hershey, added “We will be very prepared to seek compliance from visitors. But please, everybody, do your part to comply with our restrictions, use social distancing, and help stop the spread of COVID-19 while supporting local businesses. We can accomplish both if we all accept personal responsibility for our behavior.”
Beach & Boardwalk/Phase 1
May 15 – May 22
- The following gates will be open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. for access to the boardwalk and limited access to the beach: Blaine Avenue, Franklin Avenue, Hiering Avenue, and Hancock Avenue. The gates will be staffed.
- Activities on the beach are limited to walking, jogging, active surf fishing, and surfing. No swimming (red flags). No beach chairs or blankets. No sitting or standing – please keep moving. No coolers. No dogs.
- Activities on the boardwalk are limited to walking, jogging, and riding bicycles – please keep moving. No dogs.
- Beach and boardwalk will be cleared at 5 p.m. and the gates locked.
- Social distancing required. Wearing a face mask is encouraged but not required unless a superseding State order requiring face masks is issued.
- No gatherings or groups of 10 or more people.
- Public restrooms will be closed.
- Shower pedestals and water fountains will remain shrink wrapped and unavailable.
- The public is encouraged not to touch handrails and not to sit on benches.
Beach & Boardwalk/Phase 2
May 23 – June 30
- The following gates will be open 7 a.m. for access to the boardwalk and limited access to the beach (9 a.m.): Blaine Avenue, Franklin Avenue, Dupont Avenue, Hiering Avenue, Carteret Avenue, and Hancock Avenue.
- No swimming (red flags). No coolers. No dogs.
- A season beach badge or senior beach badge will be required for beach entry. Season beach badges and senior beach badges must be purchased using the Viply smartphone app or through Viply’s website. There will be no sales of beach badges on the boardwalk. We do not anticipate selling daily wristbands during Phase 2.
- Beach will be cleared at 5 p.m.
- Boardwalk will be cleared at 11 p.m. and access gates locked.
- Social distancing required. Wearing a face mask is encouraged but not required unless a superseding State order requiring face masks is issued.
- No gatherings or groups of 10 or more people.
- Public restrooms will be open on a limited basis.
- Shower pedestals and water fountains will remain shrink wrapped and unavailable.
- The public is encouraged not to touch handrails and not to sit on benches.
Bayfront/Phase 1
May 15 – June 30
South bayfront: Social distancing is required. No gatherings or groups of 10 or more people.
North bayfront:
- Boat ramp: Open Beach/boardwalk/dock open. No personal watercraft or boats on the shoreline. Social distancing is required. No gatherings or groups of 10 or more people.
- Swimming beach closed (red flags).
Parking/Phase 1
May 23 – June 30
- All private commercial parking lots and public metered parking shall be reduced to 50% capacity.
- The following municipal parking lots and metered parking areas will be closed: Grant Avenue lot, Hiering Avenue lot, Sampson Avenue lot, “free parking” lot at Webster Avenue & Bay Blvd, and boardwalk street end parking areas.
- In addition to the 50% limit on available parking spaces, private commercial parking lots will be subject to a Local State of Emergency Order prohibiting parking charges in excess of $45 per day.
Short-term rentals/Phase 1
Current – May 31
The existing local emergency orders shall remain in full force and effect. The temporary restriction concerning online marketplace rentals (e.g., VRBO, Airbnb, etc.) set forth in Local Emergency Order #5 (March 30, 2020) shall expire 11:59 p.m. May 31.
Short-term rentals/Phase 2
June 1 – June 30
The short-term rental restrictions contained in Local Emergency Order #6 (April 5, 2020) will be amended to permit motels, hotels, and multi-family dwellings (3+ units) to rent not more than 25% of available units. Other rentals units will be released from the order.
Special Events
The following Borough sponsored events are cancelled for 2020: Monday night concert series, tribute band concert series, Big Joe Henry Show, overnight beach camping, and Wine On The Beach.
No busker/performer permits will be issued through June 30.
Third party special events in May and June are cancelled (some events may be rescheduled for August or fall depending on the status of the State of Emergency at that time).
A decision concerning July and August third party special events will be made in the near future.
