Paterson, NJ Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)
Key Facts
- Operating season
- April 1 to October 31
- License term
- One season only
- Affixing furniture
- Prohibited
- Daily removal
- Required when closed
Summary
Paterson licenses sidewalk cafes only from April 1 through October 31 each year, and cafe furniture may never be permanently affixed to sidewalks, curbs, posts, signs, or trees.
Outdoor cafes shall be permitted to operate from April 1 to October 31 in any calendar year.
B. The license, when issued, shall be valid for one season.
§ 349-17. Affixing of furniture or equipment. No tables, chairs or other equipment used in the outdoor cafe shall be attached, chained or in any manner affixed to any tree, post, sign, or other fixtures, curb or sidewalk, within or near the licensed area.
§ 349-18. Removal of property from sidewalk. 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 City the right to remove any property on the sidewalk, and the licensee agrees to reimburse the City for the cost of removing and storing the same.
§ 349-19. Use of sound devices. The licensee shall not direct to or from the area occupied by the outdoor cafe any bell, chime, siren, whistle, loudspeaker, public address system, radio, sound amplifier or similar device.
§ 349-20. Hours of operation. No outdoor cafe shall open for business prior to 7:00 a.m. nor remain open for business after 11:00 p.m.
§ 349-21. Table service required. Table service is required.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 349's outdoor cafe license is a seasonal approval, not a permanent one. Section 349-16 permits outdoor cafes to operate 'from April 1 to October 31 in any calendar year' and states the license, once issued, 'shall be valid for one season,' so it must be renewed annually rather than standing indefinitely. Section 349-17 reinforces that the setup must stay removable: no tables, chairs, or equipment may be 'attached, chained or in any manner affixed to any tree, post, sign, or other fixtures, curb or sidewalk.' Furniture must also come off the sidewalk each day the business is closed, per § 349-3F, and be fully vacated at season's end per § 349-18.
Violations & Fines
Affixing furniture permanently or keeping it out past the license term violates Chapter 349; the Business Administrator can suspend or revoke the license, and the City may remove and bill the owner for unremoved property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Paterson restaurant run its outdoor cafe year-round?
Can outdoor cafe tables be bolted down permanently in Paterson?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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