Special Events & Permits in New Britain, CT (2026)
4 verified special events & permits rules for New Britain, Connecticut, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Park Event Permits
Any group larger than 25 people, or anyone reserving a specific park area, needs a permit from the board of park and recreation commissioners under Sec. 17-37. The application must state the date, hours, area and expected attendance, and the board can deny it if the use would interfere with public enjoyment or cost the city unusual expense. A denial can be appealed to the common council within 10 days.
New Britain Park Reservation and Group Permits
Some RestrictionsNew Britain Code of Ordinances § 17-37
Sec. 17-37. - Permits. (a)Required. A permit shall be obtained from the board of park and recreation commissioners or its authorized agent for the following purposes:(1)Reservation of any area or place in any park for special or private use.(2)Uses of any park by groups in excess of twenty-five (25) persons. ... (d)Appeal from denial. If the board of park and recreation commissioners or its aut...
Street Fair Rules
A street fair in New Britain needs a written license from the Common Council before it can operate. Sec. 5-16 makes the license mandatory for any public amusement, and Sec. 5-17's fee schedule sets the street fair rate at $20.00 per day, well below the $100.00 daily circus fee, while Sec. 5-18 lets the Council approve with conditions or deny with reasons.
New Britain Street Fair License Requirement
Significant RestrictionsNew Britain Code of Ordinances §§ 5-16-5-18
No person shall display or produce, or aid or assist in producing any public amusement, concert, opera or other performance within the limits of the city without written license therefor from the common council. ... Every applicant for any license required by section 5-16 shall pay to the chief of police for such license the fee herein provided, such fee to be paid when the application for lice...
Parklets
New Britain has no separate parklet ordinance; its closest local rule treats streetside seating as accessory outdoor dining tied to a licensed restaurant. Zoning Ordinance § 230-10-40 bars any outdoor dining area from encroaching onto the city sidewalk right-of-way unless the Bureau of Public Works specifically permits it, and permanent installations trigger site-plan review.
New Britain Curbs Outdoor Dining in Right-of-Way
Significant RestrictionsNew Britain Zoning Ordinance § 230-10-40
Outdoor dining space is permissible, as an accessory use to a permitted or special exception restaurant use subject to the following provisions ... No outdoor dining area shall be allowed which encroaches onto the City sidewalk right-of-way, unless specifically permitted by the Bureau of Public Works. ... In order to ensure compliance with zoning and other applicable ordinances and standards, i...
Sidewalk Dining & Cafés
Restaurants in New Britain's Central Business District (CBD/CBD-R) zones can add outdoor dining as an accessory use under Zoning Ordinance § 170-50-40, but only on private property: patios, decks or terraces can't be built in a required side or rear yard that touches a residential district, and the space cannot spill onto the City's sidewalk right-of-way without Public Works sign-off.
New Britain Outdoor Dining Space Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Britain Zoning Ordinance §§ 170-50-40, 170-50-40.10, 170-50-40.30, 170-50-40.40
Outdoor dining space is permissible, as an accessory use to a permitted or special exception restaurant use subject to the following provisions: ... Outdoor dining space shall not be located in any required rear, side or transitional yard that abuts a residential zoning district. Outside dining space may be allowed as ground level patio, or a deck or terrace, provided such deck or terrace confo...