The purpose of this chapter is to establish a procedure and authorize rules and regulations thereunder for the licensing of outdoor cafés in the Township of Rochelle Park.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Rochelle Park 3-26-2025 by Ord. No. 1219-25. Amendments noted where applicable.]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following words shall have the meanings respectively ascribed in this section:
Any eating establishment where food and other refreshments are served or consumed outside the interior of the eating establishment on private property or upon the public right-of-way, namely, the sidewalks immediately in front of any restaurant, café, cafeteria or place of business where food and/or other refreshments are served or consumed or whether permitted on private property pursuant to the Township's Land Use and Development Ordinance.[1]
That area of the public right-of-way reserved for pedestrian traffic from the curb to the front line of the building housing an eating establishment.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, partnership, corporation, association or organization of any kind (hereinafter collectively referred to as "person") to create, establish, operate, maintain or otherwise be engaged in the business of conducting an outdoor café upon the sidewalks of the Township of Rochelle Park or on private property, unless such person shall hold a currently valid license issued pursuant to the terms of this chapter.
In addition to securing a license for outdoor dining on private property that cannot comply with the sidewalk requirements, applicants must secure site plan approval from the Land Use Board.
A.
When located within the public right-of-way, outdoor cafés shall only be located on the public sidewalk directly in front of the eating establishment to which the outdoor café is accessory. For purposes of administering this provision, the term "directly in front of" shall be construed to mean the area represented by an extension of each side of the store occupied by the eating establishment projected directly to the curbline immediately in front thereof. Such cafés shall be required to maintain an unobstructed paved surface for pedestrian traffic at least 52 inches wide, located on the public sidewalk, around or through such outdoor café.
B.
When located on private property, outdoor cafés may be located in front of, on the side of and/or to the rear of the eating establishment to which the outdoor café is accessory. Such cafés shall be located on the property containing the eating establishment and/or within the public right-of-way as permitted by Subsection A above. In the case of outdoor cafés that are located on properties containing multiple tenants, such cafés shall not be permitted to be located in front of, on the side of and/or to the rear of any other establishment on the same property unless both the property owner and other tenant(s) give their consent in writing prior to the issuance of the license for the outdoor café. Such consent shall be valid only for the term specified in the consent or for the term of the license, whichever is less, and such consent shall be required to be renewed prior to renewal of the license. Such cafés shall be required to maintain an unobstructed paved surface for pedestrian traffic at least 52 inches wide around or through such outdoor café .
C.
The outdoor dining area shall not exceed 400 square feet including any tent structure erected; shall be setback a minimum of 20' from the building; and shall comply with all side and rear setbacks of the zone it is located in. A maximum of 20% of available parking may be utilized for outdoor dining.
Application for the license required hereunder shall be made to the Construction Code Official and shall be signed by the applicant. The application shall contain the following information:
A.
The name, residence address and telephone number of each individual, owner or partner, or if a domestic corporation, the names, residence addresses and telephone numbers of the directors and officers owning a 10% or greater interest in the corporation and the chief operating executive of the corporation, and if a non-domestic corporation, the name, residence address and telephone number of the managing officer for service of process within the State of New Jersey and a copy of the qualification of said non-domestic corporation to conduct business in the State of New Jersey.
B.
A copy of the trade, corporate, business or fictitious name upon which the applicant intends to do business pursuant to this chapter.
C.
The address and description of each place where the applicant intends to establish or operate an outdoor café .
D.
The name and address of the person owning the premises, if other than the applicant, and the consent of the owner of the premises to the application.
E.
Three sets of a proposed layout plan containing scaled drawings clearly illustrating the number, type of materials, color and location of all tables, chairs, umbrellas or other furnishings or fixtures intended to be located in the outdoor café . The perimeter of the outdoor café shall be defined and set off by a portable-type enclosure, which may include live plantings. The enclosure shall define the perimeter of the area to be used as an outdoor café and shall separate it from the pedestrians traversing the adjacent sidewalk. The enclosure shall not contain doors or windows nor air conditioning or heating equipment and shall be open at all times to the air from a height of not more than three feet. Awnings or outdoor umbrellas extending over the enclosure are permitted. The scaled drawings shall also illustrate the following:
(1)
The location of any doors leading from the eating establishment to the outdoor café . No such doors may be obstructed in any manner.
(2)
The number of feet and location of unobstructed space permitting free passage of pedestrian traffic around or through each outdoor café .
(3)
The location of the place where any food or drink is intended to be prepared.
(4)
An illustration of the enclosure or protective barrier separating the eating and serving area of each outdoor café from pedestrian traffic.
(5)
The location of all fire hydrants, parking meters, utility poles, benches, handicap ramps, street furniture, trees and any other fixtures permanently located on the sidewalk in front of the eating establishment or within 10 feet thereof on either or any side.
(6)
The type and location of any proposed outdoor lighting and fixtures.
(7)
Name, address, block and lot of all uses within 200 feet to either side of the property, including types of uses, and, in the case of mixed use, the location of use by level within a building.
(8)
Seating capacity of the existing restaurant and the proposed outdoor dining area and compliance of the restaurant with the parking requirements of the Township.
F.
The annual application fee shall be $100.
The Construction Code Official will review the application for completeness and compliance with the terms of this chapter. If the application is complete, the Construction Code Official will act upon the same within 10 business days of the submittal of the application or within 10 business days after the application becomes complete. If the application is not complete, the Construction Code Official will so notify the applicant within 10 business days of the submission and specifically detail the areas in which the application lacks compliance with the requirements of this chapter.
A.
If the application complies with the chapter, the Construction Code Official shall issue a license strictly subject to the terms and conditions of this chapter.
B.
In computing the number of off-street parking spaces required for restaurants with outdoor dining area, the outdoor dining area and its seating capacity shall be included. However, where such outdoor seating represents a relocation of indoor seating such that there will be no increase in the overall seating capacity of the restaurant, such areas shall not be included.
The license is personal to the applicant, and any change or transfer of ownership of the outdoor café shall terminate the license and shall require new application and a new license in conformance with all of the requirements of this chapter.
Acceptance of the license by the applicant shall operate as a consent to the health, fire, police and building officials of the Township to inspect the outdoor café for continued compliance with the terms and conditions of this chapter and any federal, state, county or local law, article or regulation affecting the same.
No license required by this chapter shall be granted to any person to operate an outdoor café until such person shall have filed with the Construction Code Official a statement agreeing to indemnify and hold harmless the Township of Rochelle Park, its agents, servants, representatives or employees from any or all claims, damages, judgment costs or expenses, including attorneys fees, which they or any of them may incur or be required to pay because of any personal injury, including death, or property damage suffered by any person or persons as a result of or related in any way to the operation and maintenance of the outdoor café for which the license is issued.
A.
No license required by this chapter shall be granted to any person to operate an outdoor café until such person shall have first filed with the Construction Code Official a comprehensive general liability policy issued to such person by a public liability insurance company authorized to do business in the State of New Jersey affording the coverage set forth below in the amount so specified. Such insurance policy shall name the Township of Rochelle Park, 151 West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park, New Jersey 07662, its agents, officers, servants, representatives and employees as additional insured with respect to the operation and maintenance of the outdoor café in the following amounts:
B.
The insurance coverage required by this section shall at all times be maintained for the full amount. The policy of insurance required by this section to be filed with the Construction Code Official shall contain a clause obligating the company issuing the same to give not less than 30 days' written notice to the Township Clerk before cancellation or amendments of any of the terms thereof. Notice of cancellation shall not relieve the company issuing such policy of liability for any injury or claim arising before the cancellation becomes effective. The cancellation of any such policy shall have the immediate affect of suspending the license of such person to operate the outdoor café covered thereby until a new policy complying the provisions of this section is filed with the Construction Code Official and a letter in writing confirming the new effective date of the license is issued by the Construction Code Official.
Every insurance policy required hereunder shall contain a provision for continuing liability thereunder to the full amount thereof notwithstanding any recovery thereon, that the liability for the insured shall not be affected by the insolvency or the bankruptcy of the insured, and that until the policy is cancelled the insurance company will not be relieved from liability on account of nonpayment of premium or of any act or omission by the named insured. Such policy of insurance shall be further conditioned for the payment of any and all judgments up to the limits of such policy.
Any license issued hereunder is issued solely as a revocable license, which shall be subject to revocation or suspension by the Construction Code Official for failure of any licensee to comply with this chapter or for violation of any other applicable federal, state, county or municipal law, regulation or article. Any license issued hereunder is issued upon the express understanding that the licensee obtains no property right thereunder, nor any interest in the continuation of said license.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate an outdoor café after the suspension or termination of the applicable license.
Each licensee is responsible for keeping the area of the outdoor café and the adjacent walks and streets free and clear of any debris or litter occasioned by the café . Areas must be cleaned as needed and at the time that business is closed and at the beginning of each business day, not later than 8:00 A.M. Sidewalks shall be washed and kept free of all debris. All foreign substances shall be removed from the sidewalk surface.
No vending machines of any kind are permitted on the exterior of any building operating an outdoor café .
No signs shall be permitted in the area of the outdoor café except signs on the awnings complying with the Sign Ordinance of the Township of Rochelle Park. Outdoor umbrellas located in the outdoor café shall be exempt from the Sign Ordinance of the Township of Rochelle Park.
In addition to the powers of suspension or revocation as set forth above, the Township reserves the right to modify, suspend or revoke any license on 10 days' written notice if the Township determines that pedestrian traffic is, in fact, impeded, made unsafe because of the operation of the outdoor café or because of any other safety issue which the Township determines adversely affects the Township because of such operation. The license may also be suspended or revoked on 10 days' written notice in the event that the Township determines that it is necessary to utilize the area or any part thereof for the maintenance or installation of underground utilities. In the event of an emergency, which emergency is certified by the Township Administrator, the license may be suspended or revoked without notice.
If the applicant is the holder of an alcoholic beverage control license pursuant to the laws of the State of New Jersey, it shall be the applicant's responsibility to cause the alcohol beverage control license to be amended to include the premise utilized for outdoor café purposes in order to serve alcoholic beverages therein.
Outdoor cafés shall be permitted to operate Monday through Sunday commencing April 1 through November 30 of each year between the hours of 7:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M. The license, when issued, shall be valid for the calendar year in which it is issued.
No tables, chairs, benches or other equipment used in the outdoor café shall be attached, chained or in any manner affixed to any tree, post, sign, curb or sidewalk or property of the Township of Rochelle Park within or near the licensed area.
The licensee agrees at the end of the license period, or in the event that the license is temporarily or permanently suspended or revoked, that the licensee will at his own cost and expense vacate the sidewalk space and promptly remove any property placed thereon. Failure to do so on five days' written notice shall grant to the Township the right to remove any property on the sidewalk, and the licensee agrees to reimburse the Township for the cost of removing and storing the same.
The licensee shall not direct nor permit to be directed to or from the area occupied by the outdoor café any bell, chime, siren, whistle, loudspeaker, live bands, public address system, radio, sound amplifier or similar device.
No food or drinks served or consumed at outdoor cafés located either on public or private property shall be prepared or stored other than in the interior of the eating establishment. Table service is required at restaurants only.
The Township of Rochelle Park shall issue a permit certificate upon payment in full of the appropriate annual fee and compliance by the applicant of the prerequisites set forth in this chapter. The licensee is required to display the permit certificate prominently in the front window, facing towards the sidewalk of the establishment. Failure to properly display the requisite permit certificate shall result in suspension or termination of the license by order of the Township Administrator.
A.
An outdoor dining facility license shall be valid only through November 30 of a given year;
B.
A new outdoor dining facility license must be obtained for each year;
C.
An outdoor dining facility license may not be transferred in any way;
D.
The license shall be displayed in a conspicuous place on the premises prior to the use of the outdoor dining facility.
The conduct of outdoor dining pursuant to a license issued under this section shall be subject to and inclusive of all of the following restrictions and requirements. This provision shall not be interpreted to limit the discretion of the Land Use Board to require further conditions as part of site plan review as reasonable and appropriate.
A.
Outdoor dining may only be in districts zoned for business, designated on the Township of Rochelle Park Zoning Map;
B.
The outdoor dining area must be clearly defined and limited by way of a barrier, such as fencing, landscaping, a wall or as approved by the Land Use Board;
C.
The outdoor dining area must not block, obstruct and/or inhibit pedestrian traffic on public sidewalks. Pedestrian traffic must have a clear, open and unobstructed access between the closest edge of the outdoor dining tables and the curbline of the sidewalk. Such pedestrian access shall have a minimum width of the greater of 10 feet or 1/2 of the sidewalk's width, but no less than 52 inches;
D.
Any outdoor dining area shall have adequate buffering from adjacent buildings or sites consisting of landscaping and/or fencing or as approved by the Land Use Board. If the outdoor dining area abuts residentially zoned land, the outdoor dining area shall be located a minimum of five feet from the common property line;
E.
Property owners shall not place anything in an alleyway, path, or walkway or set up tables in such a manner as to block, obstruct, or inhibit access to such alleyways, paths, or walkways;
F.
Outdoor dining facility owners, employers, and employees shall not block, obstruct, or inhibit a building's entrance/egress. It shall be unlawful to block or obstruct in any manner the clear width of any exit's discharge passageway, as determined by the clear width opening of the entrance/egress door(s). The exit's discharge passageway shall proceed directly to the street;
G.
Only tables, chairs, umbrellas, and receptacles for garbage and recyclables are permitted within the outdoor dining area;
H.
Outdoor dining facility owners, employers, and employees shall not place any table, chair, sign, umbrella or other item in such a manner as to block or obstruct any municipal sign receptacles for garbage and recyclables, public hydrants, or other public amenity;
I.
Outdoor dining facility owners, employers, and employees must provide for the disposal of garbage and recyclables. Public receptacles for garbage shall not be used;
J.
The outdoor dining area and surrounding sidewalk and property areas shall be kept clean from any and all litter during hours of operation;
K.
All customers must be seated in the outdoor dining area during their patronage. Outdoor dining facility owners, employers, and employees are prohibited from serving drivers or passengers of all vehicles;
L.
All food preparation shall be indoors in the regular kitchen area of the retail food establishment;
M.
Any outdoor dining facility serving alcohol products in the outdoor dining area shall be required to do so only in connection with food service at tables. Alcohol service and/or consumption at the outdoor dining facility is subject to further regulations more fully described herein;
N.
All outdoor food service is subject to the regulations contained in Chapter 12 of the New Jersey Sanitary Code;
O.
There must be absolutely no offensive odor emanating from the outdoor dining facility and/or outdoor dining area due to food preparation, handling, spoilage, and/or litter;
P.
Outdoor dining facility owners, employers and employees are prohibited from using public utility hookups;
Q.
Smoking shall be prohibited within and around the outdoor dining area. Such areas shall be marked by a sign indicating the prohibition of smoking;
R.
No signs of any nature shall be permitted in the outdoor dining area, except as previously expressed;
S.
Outdoor dining may commence April 1 and may continue through November 30;
T.
All Sanitary Code, alcoholic beverage requirements, and all other laws and regulations shall apply to the outdoor seating unless specifically excluded;
U.
The Township of Rochelle Park retains the right to temporarily suspend an outdoor dining facility license to allow for construction activity, utility repairs, special events, or any other appropriate reason as determined by the governing body. Reasonable advance notice must be given to the affected outdoor dining facility licensees.
V.
All tables, chairs, and other materials must be removed from the sidewalk except during hours of operation. All tables, chairs and other materials must be kept within the areas permitted by the outdoor dining license, and the sidewalk must be washed and/or swept daily.