Boardwalk Entertainer Permit

Ocean City requires entertainers to obtain a permit to perform on the boardwalk between May 1st and October 31st.  Please note that this ordinance has been revised, effective for the 2024 season and beyond.


Applications can be downloaded here.

Boardwalk Entertainer Program

Sign Up and Location Assignment Information

 

  1. Entertainers must complete the license application.  All sections of this form must be completed in order for your license to be processed. 
  2. Entertainers are required to have their picture taken. The photo will be included on your Boardwalk Entertainer Permit.   
  3. Licenses will be issued at City Hall in Room #214, Monday thru Friday only, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. via appointment.  No applications will be processed via mail.  Appointments can be made via email at Events@ocnj.us or by calling 609-525-9280.
  4. All entertainers will be loaded into our recreation software system, RecDesk. If you would like to create your account on RecDesk in advance, you may do so here: www.ocnj.recdesk.com/Community/Member/Signup 
    • NOTE: If you have previously participated/enrolled in any recreation program, summer camp, or have an Aquatic & Fitness Center membership, you may already have an active RecDesk account.

 

  1. 2025 daily entertainer performance sign-ups and spot assignments will be coordinated electronically. There will no longer be in-person sign-ups at any location. The sign-up process is simple. Directions are detailed below:
    • Beginning on Monday, Wednesday and Friday performance days, sign-ups will open online at 10:00 a.m. on the RecDesk Website.  For Saturday performances, the sign-up window will open at 11:00 a.m. on Fridays and for Sunday performances, the sign-up window will open at Noon on Fridays.

    • Sign-ups may be accessed at www.ocnj.recdesk.com by clicking on the “PROGRAMS” tab on the home page and clicking on the “BOARDWALK ENTERTAINER” option on the Category Filter on the left side of the webpage. Choose the specific day you would like to sign-up for and click “REGISTER NOW” on the right side of the webpage. 

    • Sign-ups will remain open until all spots are filled.  If you are placed on the waitlist, you are not guaranteed a spot for that night.  If you do not get an email for a spot, that means you will not have one, sign-up is on a first come, first serve basis. 

    • Please be aware you are not signing up for a specific location, you are only signing up to perform on the specified day. The Community Services Department will assign specific locations in accordance with city ordinance § 18-13 BOARDWALK ENTERTAINERS. All spot assignment are FINAL. Entertainers are NOT permitted to switch spots.

    • Spot assignment will be done at 4:30 p.m. on the specified performance date. An email will be sent from events@ocnj.us to those who have signed up for a performance spot informing them of the assigned performance location for that specific night. Entertainers will not be permitted to start performing until 7:00 p.m. 

SPECIAL NOTE: The spot assignment process is now entirely online. There will no longer be in-person sign ups at the Civic Center or Music Pier. The Ocean City Police Department will conduct nightly spot checks to confirm entertainers are adhering to the rules and regulations set forth by city ordinance § 18-13 BOARDWALK ENTERTAINERS. 


The Boardwalk Entertain Program is governed by City ordinance 18-13 BOARDWALK ENTERTAINERS and it states, in summary, the following: 

  1. Permits are required for all performances between May 1stand October 31st shall take place only within the two designated entertainment zones listed below:
    1. Entertainment Zone 1 – 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Streets.
    2. Entertainment Zone 2 – 12th, 13th and 14th Streets.
  2. An entertainer must fill out the entertainers application form and submit it to the Department of Community Services.  Applications for entertainers under the age of 18 years must be signed by both the entertainer and the entertainer’s legal guardian.
  3. Sound produced by an entertainer (or group of entertainers) shall not be audible 30 feet from the Boardwalk railing adjacent to which the entertainer(s) is/are performing. No electronic amplifiers are permitted for performances. An electronic instrument, such as a keyboard, is permitted provided that the music is not audible thirty (30') feet from the Boardwalk railing adjacent to which the entertainer is performing.
  4. The use of any sharp or dangerous weapons, with the exception of sword swallowers, is prohibited.
  5. Performances should be appropriate for a general audience and profanity is prohibited. Nudity is not permitted. Performances involving animals, paints, markers, pencils, charcoal, fire, drums, balloons or crayons are not permitted.
  6. The hat or other receptacle for donation collection must remain stationary. No sign requesting contributions shall exceed eight inches by eight inches in size.
  7. A Boardwalk Entertainer license shall entitle a performer to perform on the Boardwalk on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; and Sundays.  The right to perform is subject to other permitted uses which may take precedence over a street performer license.  Examples of other permitted uses include, but are not limited to, Special Events such as Family Night, Character Night, Mummers Night and parades.
  8. Entertainers are permitted to perform on the public Boardwalk at designated performance locations on designated days between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. 
  9. No entertainer(s) shall remain at any said location for more than 4 hours per forty-eight-hour period.
  10. Entertainers will be assigned a performance location by a designee of the Community Services Department.
  11. The application must be verified before a notary public or other officer authorized to administer oaths.
  12. The fee is $200 per entertainer.  A group such as a band shall be required to pay one annual fee.  A group cannot exceed four (4) individuals.
  13. If a badge is lost, the Department of Community Services shall issue a replacement badge on payment by the licensee of a fee of $15.
  14. A street entertainer may not set any fee or require any donation for his or her performance; or suggest any minimum or maximum donation.

The complete city ordinance can be viewed here.  Please be advised that this application must be notarized before a permit can be issued.  The form does not need to be notarized in Ocean City, however the City of Ocean City can notarize this form (complimentary) during normal business hours, Monday-Friday, 8:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at City Hall by the City Clerk's Office.

Updated 5/23/2025