[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Orangetown 8-17-1998 by L.L. No. 9-1998.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This local law also repealed former Ch. 31B, Sidewalk Cafes, adopted 9-13-1993 by L.L. No. 15-1993, as amended.
The sidewalk cafe and vending regulations as established in this chapter are designed to allow sidewalk cafes and vending on public property, in locations where they are determined to be appropriate by the Director of the Office of Zoning, Planning, Administration and Enforcement ("Director") and to promote and protect the public health, safety and general welfare. These general goals include, among others, the following specific purposes:
A. 
To provide adequate space for pedestrians on the sidewalk adjacent to sidewalk cafe and vending areas and to ensure access to adjacent commercial and retail uses.
B. 
To promote sidewalk cafes and vending as useful and properly planned visual amenities which better relate to the stereoscope.
C. 
To simplify administrative and strengthen enforcement procedures for sidewalk cafes and vending that are effective, efficient and enforceable.
D. 
To preserve and enhance the character of neighborhoods through the Town and to protect the adjacent residential areas.
For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
PUBLIC SERVICE FACILITY
A public telephone, mailbox, bench or other facility provided for the use of the general public.
SIDEWALK
Any area between the curbline and a structure, whether publicly or privately owned, which is used by the public or open to use by the public.
SIDEWALK CAFE
An outdoor dining area located on a sidewalk.
SIDEWALK VENDING
The sidewalk area adjacent to and a part of a permitted indoor retail establishment that is used for the sale of retail merchandise.
A. 
No person shall engage in the operation of a sidewalk cafe or vending except upon the granting of a permit therefor by the Director pursuant to this chapter and in accordance with the terms and conditions of such permit.
B. 
Rules and regulations. The Director is hereby authorized to grant revocable permits for the use of the sidewalks for sidewalk cafes and vending upon the following terms and conditions:
(1) 
Review and approval of the Architecture and Community Appearance Board of Review.
(2) 
Permits shall be issued on or after January 1 of each year. All permits, regardless of when issued, shall expire on December 31, and shall be renewed each year thereafter on application of the applicant specifying any change from the information originally set forth pursuant to § 31B-3C of this chapter unless the Director, for cause, or the applicant does not renew said permit. In the event that the Director determines not to renew a permit, he shall give notice to the applicant of said intention, by certified mail, return receipt requested, not later than 30 days after receipt of an application for renewal of said permit, and the reason therefor. The applicant may seek review of the Director's determination by appealing to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Such review shall be requested by the applicant in writing and not later than 15 days from the receipt of the denial of the application by the Director of said permit. Upon appeal, the Zoning Board of Appeals shall give notice to the applicant of the meeting at which the appeal will be considered, which notice shall be delivered personally or by certified mail and addressed to the applicant's address as shown on the application. Such applicant shall be entitled to attend the meeting before the Zoning Board of Appeals and shall be afforded a full opportunity to be heard. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall render a final determination within 62 days of said meeting.
C. 
No sidewalk cafe or vendors may be operated except:
(1) 
As an accessory to a restaurant or retail establishment lawfully operating on the first floor of premises in the zoning district;
(2) 
On the sidewalk in front of the principal place of business of such entity; and
(3) 
By the entity which operates the restaurant or retail establishment.
D. 
No sidewalk cafe shall operate after 12:00 midnight or when the entity with which it is associated is not open to the public.
E. 
No permanent structure may be affixed to the sidewalk or any building. The applicant shall be responsible for any damage caused to any sidewalk or public property as a result of the applicant's operations under this chapter.
F. 
The public property on which sidewalk cafes and vending are located and the surrounding area shall at all times be kept free and clear of lifter, debris and any substance that may damage the sidewalk or cause pedestrian injury.
G. 
The applicant shall dispose of all refuse in accordance with it designated and customary place of disposal and shall have the affirmative obligation to maintain the sidewalk and surrounding premises free of lifter at all times.
H. 
No live or mechanical music shall be permitted.
I. 
All food and beverages to be served or consumed at sidewalk cafes shall be prepared within the existing restaurant or retail food store. The restaurant shall not serve food or beverages to a patron at a sidewalk cafe area unless that patron is seated at a table.
J. 
All alcoholic beverages to be served at sidewalk cafes shall be prepared within the existing restaurant, and alcoholic drinks shall only be served to patrons seated at tables. The drinking of alcoholic beverages by a member of the public while a patron at a sidewalk cafe within the confines of the sidewalk cafe area, shall not be construed as a violation of any code or ordinance controlling open containers in public areas. The operator of the sidewalk cafe shall procure the appropriate license from the state liquor authority if he intends to serve alcoholic beverages in the sidewalk cafe area and shall comply with all other laws and regulations concerning the serving of alcoholic beverages in this state.
K. 
Operations of a sidewalk cafe or vending shall not adversely impact on adjacent or nearby residential, religious, educational or commercial properties and shall be in accordance with all applicable codes and regulations.
L. 
Restaurants located next to each other, without intervening uses or entranceways to buildings, may have sidewalk cafes that abut each other.
M. 
At all times a five-foot walking area between the cafe table area and vending table area and the curb must be maintained. Furnishings or other property must not be allowed to intrude upon the five-foot walking area.
N. 
The permit holder shall at all times maintain free and clear from all obstruction an aisle not less than four feet in width providing access to any establishment fronting on said sidewalk.
O. 
The sidewalk use shall not interfere with access to any public service facility.
P. 
There shall be a minimum of 45 square feet of table area for each set of table and chairs.
Q. 
Application for a permit pursuant to this section shall be made on a form designed by the Town Supervisor and approved by the Town Attorney. Such form shall contain at least the following information:
(1) 
The name and address of the applicant.
(2) 
The proposed site for the activity.
(3) 
A site plan showing the following:
(a) 
A proposed layout.
(b) 
The capacity of the existing facility and capacity of proposed outdoor dining.
(c) 
A statement of the months, days and hours of intended operation.
(d) 
The applicant's entire property and adjacent properties on the location map with streets for a distance of at least 25 feet, at a scale of one-inch equals 10 feet.
(e) 
A detailed plan at a scale acceptable to the Director, such as 1/2 inch equals one foot, showing the design and location of all temporary structures such as tables and chairs.
(4) 
Proof of insurance as required by this chapter.
(5) 
Any other information that the Director may find reasonably necessary for the fair determination as to whether a permit should be issued.
Upon a finding by the Director that the applicant has violated any provision of this chapter or the terms and conditions of the permit or has engaged in any practice in conjunction with the regulated sidewalk activity which constitutes a danger to the health or safety of any patron or pedestrian, the Director shall give notice to the applicant to correct such violation or cease such practice within 24 hours. If the applicant fails to comply with such notice, the Director shall have the authority to revoke or suspend a permit upon the finding of a violation of any applicable rule, regulation, ordinance or local law or upon good cause shown.
Appeals from the revocation or suspension or other condition of a permit may be taken to the Zoning Board of Appeals by any aggrieved person within 30 days from the date of the revocation or suspension, by filing a written notice with the Director on forms prescribed by the Board. Each appeal shall refer to the specific, relevant provision of this chapter, explain the aggrieved person's position with respect to the determination being appealed and state the relief requested.
Neither the adoption of this chapter nor the granting of any permit pursuant hereto shall be construed as a waiver of any right, privilege or immunity of the Town of Orangetown concerning its public easement over the streets and sidewalks, or of any requirements of law concerning the liability of the easement over the streets and sidewalks, or of any requirement of law concerning the liability of the Town of Orangetown with respect to streets and sidewalks, whether expressed or implied.
The applicant shall agree, on a form approved by the Town Attorney, to indemnify and save harmless the Town of Orangetown, its officers, agents, attorneys and employees from and against any claim of loss, liability or damage by any person arising as a result of the applicant's operation of the sidewalk use.
The applicant shall obtain and maintain in full force and effect throughout the term of the permit a policy of general liability insurance, which such policy shall:
A. 
Name the Town of Orangetown, its officers, agents, attorneys and employees as additional insureds;
B. 
Have a combined single limit of not less than $1,000,000; and
C. 
Contain a provision prohibiting its cancellation except upon 20 days' notice to the Town of Orangetown. The applicant shall file with the Town, prior to the issuance of the permit, a certificate evidencing the requisite insurance.
[Amended 10-28-2025 by L.L. No. 12-2025]
Any person or entity violating any of the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed guilty of a violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be sentenced in accordance with the penalties as set forth in Chapter 41A of the Town Code. If a fine imposed pursuant to this section or resulting from the maintenance, use or operation of a sidewalk cafe or vending is not paid within five business days after the fine is imposed, except as otherwise ordered by the Court, the Town may immediately revoke the permit.
A permit and administrative fee of $100 is required upon the issuance of the permit.