The sidewalk cafe regulations as established by this chapter
are designed to permit sidewalk cafes to be established on public
property in locations where they shall be determined to be appropriate
by these regulations and all applicable related ordinances to promote
and protect the public health, safety and general welfare. These general
purposes shall include, among others, the following specific purposes:
A. To ensure that adequate space will be provided for pedestrian circulation
through areas where sidewalk cafes are established and to ensure adequate
access to adjoining properties and businesses.
[Amended 2-5-2019 by Ord.
No. 02-19]
B. To encourage the establishment of sidewalk cafes as one means of
developing a pleasant and distinctive shopping atmosphere.
As used in this chapter:
RESTAURANT
A retail food establishment licensed by the Division of Health
which provides indoor seating for dining and restroom facilities for
use by patrons in accordance with the requirements of the NJ Uniform
Construction Code as codified at N.J.A.C. 5:23-1.1 et seq. and as
the same may be from time to time amended and supplemented.
SIDEWALK CAFE
The extension of the services of an existing restaurant preparing
and serving foods for consumption within an existing building, to
the extent that food is permitted to be served and consumed at the
tables placed on the public sidewalk adjacent to and within the confines
of the frontage of that portion of the building in which the restaurant
is located. A sidewalk cafe may contain readily removable tables and
chairs, but shall be otherwise unenclosed by fixed walls and open
to the air except for retractable awnings, umbrellas or other nonpermanent
covers provided such covers do not interfere with pedestrian circulation.
[Amended 2-5-2019 by Ord.
No. 02-19]
Any person, firm or corporation may operate a sidewalk cafe
(hereinafter called a "cafe") within the Township of Denville in any
zone in which such use is permitted on a sidewalk adjacent to an existing
restaurant operated by such person, firm or corporation upon obtaining
a license from the Division of Health. Such license shall allow the
operation of a cafe from April 1 through and including November 30
of any calendar year and may be renewed annually during the month
of January. No license shall be issued by the Division of Health for
the operation of a cafe to a person, persons, firm, or corporation
other than the person, persons, firm, or corporation who holds the
retail food establishment license from the Division of Health for
the restaurant where the cafe shall be operated.
[Amended 2-5-2019 by Ord.
No. 02-19]
A. License and fee. Each applicant for a license shall submit a written application on the form provided by the Division of Health, together with a nonrefundable fee to the Division of Health in the amount set forth at Chapter
245 of the Township Code. All applications for a given calendar year and the application fees must be submitted to the Division of Health. No application will be accepted without the fee. All applications are subject to a fifteen-day review period before determination. The application shall state the name and address of the applicant, the property owner if other than the applicant, the person preparing the development plans and the written authorization of the owner of the property to submit the application if the applicant is not the owner.
B. Development plans. The following information shall be shown on all
development plans:
(1) The applicant's entire property and the adjacent sidewalk area
to be used.
(2) The design, number and location of all temporary structures proposed,
including tables, chairs, planters, awnings and other equipment, as
well as lighting and electrical outlet locations, if any.
(3) Capacity of existing restaurant and proposed cafe.
(4) Proposal for providing adequate pedestrian circulation as detailed herein in Subsection
E(4) below.
(5) Name, title and seal, if applicable, of person who prepared the development
plan.
(6) Statement that a public rest room is available in the existing restaurant.
C. Review of development plans. Prior to the issuance of a license pursuant
to this chapter, the development plans and application shall be reviewed
by the Health Officer and construction official/Zoning Officer. The
Health Officer shall review the development plans for compliance with
N.J.A.C. 8:24-1.1 et seq. and as the same may be from time to time
amended and supplemented together with the sanitary requirements detailed
in this chapter and any applicable local health ordinances. The Construction
Official/Zoning Officer shall review the development plan for compliance
with applicable New Jersey Uniform Construction Code requirements
and requirements detailed in this chapter relative to the placement
of tables, chairs, planters, awnings, lighting, and electrical outlets
as well as dimensions and distances. The Health Officer and Construction
Official/Zoning Officer shall either approve or recommend modifications
of the plans within 20 days of submission of the plans.
D. Conditions for issuance of license. Upon approval by the Health Officer
and Construction Official/Zoning Officer of the application and plans
submitted by the applicant pursuant to this chapter, the Health Officer
shall issue a license to the applicant provided the applicant has
furnished the following to the Township:
(1) An agreement signed by the applicant to repair any damage caused
to the sidewalk in the operation of the cafe at the expense of the
applicant. The Township may require a bond to be filed by the applicant
in an amount to be determined by the Township to secure the repair
of any damage to the sidewalk.
(2) An agreement signed by the applicant indemnifying and holding the
Township harmless against loss, including costs and expenses, resulting
from injury to person(s) or property as a direct or indirect result
of the operation of the cafe or for injury to person(s) or property
occurring on the premises occupied by the cafe. The applicant shall
provide a certificate of insurance as evidence of the required general
liability policy to the Township, and naming the Township as a named
insured, in the amount of not less than $1,000,000.
E. Rules, regulations and specifications. A cafe authorized and operated
pursuant to this section shall comply with all of the following rules,
regulations and specifications:
(1) The applicant and/or operator shall fully comply with all plans submitted
and approved by the Division of Health and Construction Official/Zoning
Officer under the terms of this chapter.
(2) Within 30 minutes after the closing of the cafe, the operator shall
have all furniture, utensils, or any other materials used in the operation
of the cafe or within the area used by the cafe, and all customers,
removed from the sidewalk area, provided that furniture may remain
outside if stored in a neat and orderly manner. Said closing shall
be not later than 10:00 p.m.
(3) Music, if any, shall be kept at a reasonable level that is not unnecessarily
loud or objectionable to persons in or around the area.
(4) The operator shall maintain an area for pedestrian movement free
of any obstruction a distance of six feet from the curb. The operator
shall provide that tables, chairs, and other materials do not interfere
with these required open areas and pedestrian traffic. Chairs next
to the pedestrian walkway shall be placed at a ninety-degree angle
so as not to obstruct the pedestrian walkway. Where there are obstructions,
such as light posts and mailboxes, which would cause the pedestrian
aisle to be less than four feet wide, the construction official/zoning
officer shall have the discretion to approve an alternate arrangement.
In the event of inclement weather, tables, chairs and any other cafe
materials shall be removed so as to allow snow removal.
(5) The operator shall comply with all the requirements of N.J.A.C. 8:24-1.1
et seq., also known as Chapter XXIV of the New Jersey Sanitary Code,
and as the same may be from time to time amended and supplemented
along with the sanitary requirements detailed in this chapter.
(6) The operator shall comply with all other ordinances of the Township
of Denville.
(7) A license issued under the provisions of this chapter shall limit
the operation of a sidewalk cafe to that area within the confines
of the frontage of the licensed premises. At no time shall the tables,
chairs and other accessory items used in connection with the operation
of the licensed cafe extend to the frontage or any portion thereof
of any adjacent business, building or property.
Upon a finding by the Division of Health or Construction Official/Zoning
Officer that an applicant has violated any provisions of this chapter,
notice shall be given to the applicant to correct said violation.
Upon failure to immediately correct said violation the Health Officer
or Construction Official/Zoning Officer may revoke the applicant's
license to operate a sidewalk cafe. Upon the revocation of such license,
the applicant shall be entitled to a hearing before the governing
body within 30 days, upon notice thereof, provided that a hearing
is requested by the applicant, in writing, within five days of revocation
of the license.
The area encompassed within a cafe authorized pursuant to this chapter
shall be considered duly licensed for sale and consumption of alcoholic
beverages, provided that such area is part of the licensed premises
pursuant to a valid alcoholic beverage control license issued by the
Township of Denville and that there is compliance with all Alcoholic
Beverage Commission regulations. Such license is separate from, and
must be obtained in addition to, the license to operate a sidewalk
cafe issued pursuant to this chapter.
The licensee shall comply with the following Division of Health
requirements:
A. No fruit, vegetables and other food shall be stored or displayed
for sale in the cafe authorized by this chapter.
B. No food or drinks served at outdoor seating areas shall be prepared
other than in the interior areas of the retail food establishment
approved by the Division of Health for such use.
C. All equipment used in the outdoor seating area, including, but not
limited to, chairs and tables, shall be nonabsorbent, smooth, easily
cleanable, of corrosive-resistant material, and meet the requirements
of the New Jersey Sanitary Code at N.J.A.C. 8:24-1.1 et seq., as the
same may be from time to time amended and supplemented.
D. No food service equipment shall be stored in or permanently mounted
to any area of the outdoor dining area.
E. Containers used in the conveyance of soiled tableware shall not be
permanently stored outdoors. Soiled tableware shall be promptly removed
to the establishment's equipment washing area after patron use.
F. Smoking shall be prohibited in the outdoor dining area. Such areas
shall be marked by a sign approved by the Division of Health indicating
the prohibition of smoking.
G. Each licensee is responsible for keeping the area of the outdoor
dining area and the adjacent walks and streets clean, free of litter
and food wastes, free of nuisances and sanitary at all times. Areas
must be cleaned at the beginning of each business day, at closing
time and as often as needed so as to prevent unsanitary conditions.
H. Effective control measures shall be utilized to minimize, prevent
and eliminate the presence and entry of rodents, flies, and all other
vermin into the establishment. Outdoor dining areas and all other
parts of the establishment shall be kept in such condition so as to
prevent the breeding, harborage or feeding of all vermin.
I. The licensee shall provide adequate receptacles for the depositing
of waste by patrons as deemed necessary by the Division of Health.
Such receptacles shall have lids and designed so as to preclude the
entry, harborage, or breeding of vermin. Such receptacles shall be
constructed of easily cleanable nonabsorbent material and shall be
maintained in a sanitary manner at all times. The licensee shall ensure
that waste receptacles are routinely serviced so as to prevent overflow
of contents upon the ground. Waste receptacles owned and maintained
by the Township shall not be used by the licensee for depositing of
waste generated by the establishment including the outdoor cafe.