Nashua, NH Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Encumbrance license from
- Board of Public Works
- Cafe license from
- Board of Health, § 170-1
- Alcohol sales require
- State Liquor Commission approval
- Max fine
- $1,000 per § 1-12
- License must be
- posted in public view
Summary
Nashua requires a separate license-to-encumber from the Board of Public Works before an open-air cafe can place tables, chairs or seating on any public street or sidewalk area.
No open-air cafe license under § 170-1 shall be issued for part of any street, lane, sidewalk, or other public place in the City without the applicant first obtaining a license from some person authorized to grant a license to obstruct or encumber such an area as provided for under §§ 285-9 and 285-11. Such license-to-encumber shall define the limits or boundaries of the encumbrance and shall be posted in public view in every food service establishment or temporary food service establishment for which the encumbrance was obtained as a condition of licensure for an open-air cafe.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4805762; v29 updated 2026-02-10; through 02-10-2026).
Full Breakdown
An open-air cafe license under § 170-1 authorizes alcohol service in the cafe area, subject to State Liquor Commission approval (§ 83-2). But before that license can issue for any part of a street, lane, sidewalk or other public place, § 83-3 requires the operator to first obtain a separate license to obstruct or encumber that area from the Board of Public Works under §§ 285-9 and 285-11. The license-to-encumber must define the limits of the encumbrance and be posted in public view at the establishment. The Board of Health can revoke the open-air cafe license, while the Board of Public Works can revoke the license-to-encumber (§ 83-4).
Violations & Fines
Violations of the open-air cafe article are punishable under § 1-12: a fine of up to $1,000, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Nashua require a separate permit to put cafe tables on the sidewalk?
Who can revoke a Nashua open-air cafe license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashua
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Sidewalk Dining & Cafés in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle sidewalk dining & cafés.