NJ S3680

New Jersey municipalities may adopt an ordinance to gradually reduce the population threshold for issuing plenary retail consumption and seasonal retail consumption licenses (typically for bars and restaurants) from 1 per 3,000 residents to 1 per 2,000 residents over five years.

The reduction occurs in 200-person increments: 1 per 2,800 at month 13, 1 per 2,600 at month 25, 1 per 2,400 at month 37, 1 per 2,200 at month 49, and 1 per 2,000 at month 61 after ordinance adoption.

Plenary retail distribution licenses remain limited to 1 per 7,500 population and are not affected by this change.

Population counts are determined by the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates, or the official federal decennial count in years when received by the Governor.

Sponsored by Senator Linda R. Greenstein (District 14 - Mercer and Middlesex) and introduced February 24, 2026.