OCEAN CITY, NJ — New rules and increased performer fees may be in store for Ocean City’s boardwalk buskers, if a new ordinance is approved.
The proposed ordinance, introduced at the Jan. 11 City Council meeting, will have a public hearing and final vote on Jan. 25. It follows an ordinance introduced in 2017 that set rules for boardwalk performers.
Under the ordinance, annual fees would quadruple from $50 to $200, according to documents in the meeting’s agenda packet. The ordinance also designates specific areas and times for performers, and violations come with a fine of no more than $2,000.
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While some voiced concerns that this would be a punitive measure, “that is not the intent and I don’t think it’s the effect,” said City Solicitor Dorothy McCrosson.
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The primary concern is keeping the boardwalk safe for pedestrians, McCrosson said.
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“This is responsive to the comments that we’ve gotten from so many of you, from the public and the merchants and their employees,” she said.
Members of the council voiced that they thought it would be beneficial for boardwalk merchants, along with the tourists and the performers themselves. Councilman Terry Crowley noted that “there is a cost to the city for the performers that are up there, and I think it’s fair to the city to raise the fees.”
You can read the details of the proposed ordinance here.
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