Ocean City FYI
         Answers to the most-asked questions!

   

-How do I buy beach tags?

Pre-season and during the season tags can be purchased at City Hall (9th Street and Asbury Avenue), the 46th Street Post Office (on West Avenue), the Visitor’s Center on the Route 52 Causeway or the Information Center at the Music Pier (on the Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace). Please note some of these locations have limited hours during the pre-season. City Hall, however, is open Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. through 4:30 p.m..

During the summer season, Seasonal, Weekly, and Daily passes can be purchased at the four locations above and from City employees who work on the beach to ensure that beachgoers have their tags.

-Recycling Facts:

Who needs to recycle?

In Ocean City as in the State of New Jersey, it is the law to recycle. However, in Ocean City, we think of recycling as much more than a mandate. It is an aspect of good citizenship and environmental stewardship. Therefore, we ask all citizens and visitors to comply with our program to maintain the high quality of life that they come to expect from our island.

City employees, homeowners, renters, visitors, business owners and students all need to recycle to make the program work. The City of Ocean City offers free “curbside” (including alleys) recycling to all households and businesses in the City. For businesses to receive service, they must prepare recyclables for collection the same way as households and set at the curb or alley for pick-up.

What do I recycle?

RECYCLE Bottles and Cans

• Glass - any color
• Plastic - bottles, jars and jugs
• Aluminum and Steel cans
• Empty aerosol cans

Think outside the ice box. Bottles and cans recyclables are present in all parts of the house, not just in the kitchen. Remember to recycle empty shampoo, conditioner, soap, lotion, hair product, shaving cream, aerosol deodorant and detergent containers.

RECYCLE Paper and Cardboard

• ALL Newspapers, Catalogs, Magazines
• Junk Mail - including envelopes
• Office Paper
• Paper Back Books – including telephone books
• Corrugated Cardboard - wavy layer in the middle

Think about how much paper is used in daily life. Almost all of it can be recycled. Remember flyers, note paper, even greeting cards can all be recycled.


RECYCLE Yard Waste

• Grass Clippings
• Leaves
• Trimmings from pruning
• Branches – must be less than 4 ft. in length and bundled
  
  In Ocean City, trash and recyclables are picked up on the same day. However, in the summer when the schedule calls for twice per week pick-up, yard waste will only be picked up once per week.
  

When on the beach, boardwalk or around town, be sure to dispose of your recyclables in one of the many recycling containers provided.

Summer (mid-June to Saturday after Labor Day)

• Mon. & Thurs. – Longport bridge to North side of 9th St. (Yard Waste-Thurs.)
• Tues. & Fri. – South side of 9th St. to North side of 28th St. (Yard Waste-Tues.)
• Wed. & Sat. – South side of 28th St. to 59th St. (Yard Waste-Wed.)

Winter

• Mon. – South side of 34th St. to 59th St.
• Tue. – South side of 17th St. to North side of 34th ST.
• Wed. – South side of 9th St. to North side of 17th St
• Thurs. – South side of 3rd St. to North side of 9th St.
• Fri. – Longport bridge to North side of 3rd St.
  
  Why should I recycle?

  There are many reasons to recycle both environmental and economic. There is truly no downside, especially when the City of Ocean City makes recycling very convenient.

  RECYCLE for the Environment
  • Save trees! Recycling paper that can be made into new products will reduce the number of trees that need to be cut down.
  • Saving trees helps to reduce greenhouse gases and in turn will help combat global warming.
  • Save our petroleum resources! Yes, plastic is a petroleum byproduct, so returning used plastic into the manufacturing stream reduces our reliance on this non-renewable resource.
  • Save energy! Recyclables are a renewable and available resource. Using recyclables for manufacturing decreases energy used for logging and mining to acquire virgin resources.
  • Save space! Land is becoming a precious commodity in southern New Jersey, so reducing the amount of materials we put into our landfill prolongs its useful life.

         RECYCLE for the Economy

• Save money! By recycling more, the City of Ocean City can save hundreds of thousands of dollars. Just by increasing our recycling rate from about 20-30%, we can save $150,000. This is big money and can help to keep the City’s taxes low.
  

What else can I do?

RECYCLE Scrap Metal – at the Shelter Road Recycling Drop-off area off of Tennessee Avenue.

FREECYCLE – You can help to reduce waste by joining Ocean City Freecycle, a web-based group whose members offer and receive items in good condition for free. Visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/OceanCityNJFreecycle/ for more information.

By joining, you can see what items members are offering and if it is something you can use, all you need to do is contact that member and arrange for pick-up. No money ever changes hands. If you have something to offer, list it, and it will go to good use rather than to the landfill where it will simply take up space.

Participate in other Cape May County recycling programs where you can:

• Properly dispose of Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)– The Cape May County Municipal Utilities Authority (CMCMUA) hosts two HHW Days per year in the Spring and Fall where you can get rid of household cleaning products, pesticides, solvents, etc. in an environmentally responsible manner. Visit www.cmcmua.com and click on “Solid Waste Disposal” for more information.
• RECYCLE Paint – Residents, businesses, institutions, municipalities, and non-profit agencies can bring leftover oil-based and latex paint as well as stains and finishes to the CMCMUA Transfer Station during regular business hours. There is a per can fee for 1 gallon size and larger. Smaller containers and spray paint are free. . Visit www.cmcmua.com and click on “Recycling Information” for specific guidelines.
• RECYCLE Tires – Residents may bring up to 5 tires to the CMCMUA Landfill or Transfer Station. There is a small fee per tire. Truckloads of tires are accepted at the Landfill only at a per ton rate.
• RECYCLE Used Motor Oil, Oil Filters, and Antifreeze – Uncontaminated used motor oil, uncontaminated antifreeze , and drained oil filters are accepted free at the CMCMUA Landfill and Transfer Station. Limit 3 gallons and 3 filters per day. Kerosene and #2 home heating oil may be mixed with used motor oil. Also check with local service stations to see if they accept these items.
• RECYCLE Electronics – Computers, Televisions, and other consumer electronics are accepted at the CMCMUA Transfer Station. There is a minimum per load charge and above that level the rate is a few cents per pound. At the HHW Days, two units are accepted for free.
• RECYCLE Auto and Boat Batteries – These types of lead acid batteries are accepted free at the CMCMUA Landfill and Transfer Station. Also check with local service stations or auto and marine supply stores to see if they accept these items.

-What special events are scheduled this month?

Please check the Events by clicking here.

Call 609-525-9300 for assistance with this matter. Soon, Music Pier tickets will be available for purchase online through this site, http://www.ocnj.us/.

-How do I obtain a building permit?

-When is the next City Council meeting?

Regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Dates are posted on Channel 2. Workshop meetings and special meetings may be scheduled as needed and are advertised in the official newspaper of the City of Ocean City (Sentinel-Ledger). All meetings are held in the Council Chambers, third floor, City Hall unless otherwise noted.

-How do I go about having a wedding on the beach?

To have a wedding on the beach you have to fill out a Facility Use Application form. Click here to download.