Wildwood passes ordinance closing boardwalk from 1 to 5 a.m. year-round

The City of Wildwood’s Board of Commissioners passed an ordinance on Wednesday that will require the boardwalk to close from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. year-round, officials said.

The ordinance prevents residents, visitors and business owners from being on the Boardwalk during the overnight hours. However, the provision does not apply to emergency personnel or other people authorized by city officials.

It will go into effect on May 13, 2026.

City officials said that they believe the curfew will enhance public safety.

“These hours are designed to limit late-night crowds and support a welcoming friendly atmosphere for everyone to enjoy the best of our Boardwalk,” said Steve Mikulski, Deputy Mayor and Commissioner of Public Safety. “We fully support our Boardwalk businesses. This is not about limiting business activity, it’s about preventing loitering, large gatherings, and the types of behavior that tend to occur after hours.”

To maintain a family-friendly environment, Wildwood has implemented several other measures in the past. These include a 10 p.m. curfew for anyone 17 and under, a ban on backpacks on the boardwalk, an increased police presence, protective barriers at the entrances to the boardwalk and real-time surveillance monitoring.