Belmar Proposes Filming Ordinance

Sorry, Snooki.

An ordinance introduced unanimously by the Belmar Mayor and Council will require ABC-licensed establishments to apply for a commercial filmmaking permit before allowing television shows to film inside.

The decision comes in the wake of a notorious appearance by the cast of 'Jersey Shore' at The Boathouse this summer. As often happens when The Situation and company go anywhere, things go out of hand quickly. Accounts of the incident include overcrowding and dancing on the bar top.

"In this case, they never contacted the borough," Mayor Matt Doherty said, adding that the borough would have denied the request.

Doherty explained that 'Jersey Shore' filming in Belmar would promote "negative behavior that is not positive for the town's image."

The ordinance also includes hefty penalties for ABC license holders who fail to obtain filming permits.

"We do have an obligation to regulate ABC licenses," Doherty said.