Seaside Heights bans beach smoking, certain coolers, umbrellas

SEASIDE HEIGHTS, New Jersey (WABC) -- Officials in one Jersey Shore town are looking to clean up their act to make the beaches cleaner and more attractive to tourists.

The Seaside Heights Borough Council voted to ban cigarette and e-cigarette use on the beach. There are also new restrictions on cooler size, umbrellas and even baby tents.

In the past, some beachgoers have placed those huge canopies in front of the lifeguards, making for unsafe conditions.

The new regulations prohibit people from feeding wild animals, as well as shorten beach hours to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 9 p.m. on weekends. Beachgoers will also be required to wear tags.

The plan gives police more power to enforce the rules and control access to the beach after hours. Lifeguards will be on duty until 7 p.m., and then attendants will keep an eye on beach behavior until 9 p.m. when the beach closes to everyone. Use of the boardwalk will be prohibited from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.

The changes come in response to complaints from guests and take effect Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

Visit Seaside-HeightsNJ.org for more information and specifics on the rules and restrictions.