Events
Bayonne is home to a wide variety of unique and exciting events that bring our whole community together. Some events are hosted by the City of Bayonne, while others are hosted by local non-profit organizations who have obtained a Public Assemblies Permit.
Hosting an event is a huge undertaking. The goal of our permit process is to help you host your event in a fun, but safe, way. The forms, rules, and regulations are in place to protect you and our entire community.
Check our City Calendar to see upcoming events and check for potential location conflicts.
Please keep in mind that the calendar may not reflect applications that are currently pending or recreational activities taking place in our amazing parks.
Getting Started
Public events are governed by City ordinance 4-31. Please read the ordinance before moving forward with planning an event.
When creating your budget, please be mindful that there are fees associated with holding an event, such as security, cleanup, insurance, and inspections. Learn more.
Once you understand the ordinance, you will need to complete Police Permit - Public Assembly and return it, with the attachments requested in the application, to eventsadministrator@bayonnepd.org.
We have a Step by Step Guide to the Public Assembly Permit.
Submitting your permit is only the beginning. There are additional considerations such as:
Our professional team from the Department of Public Works will assist you, but you are the point person between your attendees and vendors.
All trash, but especially food waste, must be properly bagged. Bagged trash should only be left in predetermined areas for pickup. Vendors cannot leave oil behind (used OR unused), as it requires special waste handling.
Failure to be mindful of trash is grounds for future permit denial.
If your event has an expected attendance over 100 people it will require an inspection from Fire Prevention on the day of the event.
No matter where your event is located, the area should be treated with respect. When events are in our parks be extra mindful of the delicate ecology and the impact that crowds may have.
Please remind your volunteers, vendors, and participants to tread carefully.
Every Food Vendor you use must be licensed by their home municipality and pass an inspection from their home municipality's Health Department.
Each Food Vendor will need to complete a “One Day/Short Term Event - Food Vendor Packet” for our Health Department. You will receive a copy of the packet to send out to your vendors once you, the organizer, have submitted a Health Department Event Application.
If your Food Vendors will be cooking onsite at the event, each of those vendors will also need a Fire Prevention Permit Application, Type 1.
There is a fee for both Health and Fire; it will be listed on the permit application. If your food vendor has an annual Bayonne permit with Health and/or Fire, the fee may be waived — but the permit(s) must still be filled out and filed.
The day of your event all Food Vendors will be inspected by a Health Inspector and a Fire Inspector to ensure safety and compliance.
Additional Considerations For Food Vendors
If a Food Vendor is cooking under a tent, the tent MUST be Fire Resistant with an NFPA-701 tag.
Oil and refuse must be properly disposed — oil, USED or UNUSED, must be carried away with the food vendor. The City cannot dispose of oil.
As the event coordinator, it is your responsibility to make sure your Food Vendors fill out their permit forms fully and accurately, to verify that all of the appropriate supporting documents are submitted, and to make sure the correct fees are paid.
It is also your responsibility to make sure all guidelines are adhered to.
Your inflatable company must provide proof of NJ state inspection as well as proof of insurance in addition to your event policy. You must inform your insurance agent for your event policy.
All events with inflatable rides must be inspected by Fire Prevention.
Your ride company must provide proof of NJ state inspection as well as proof of insurance in addition to your event policy. You must inform your insurance agent for your full event policy.
All events with mechanical rides must be inspected by Fire Prevention.
If your musicians will be using one of our permanent stages and need access to the electricity, a formal request must be made at the time of your application.
You must supply your own tables and chairs.
Your vendor will sign into the POSSE Online Licensing System and complete the required steps.
The license application will require specific measures to be implemented to control the event and prevent underage consumption which may include, but not limited to, wrist bands, age verification via driver's license authentication devices, hiring security, fencing, etc.
Please note that this process can take several months, and must be completed well in advance of your event.
For more information, email ABCpublic@njoag.gov.