Tonawanda, NY Special Events & Permits: Sidewalk Dining & Cafés (2026)

Section 215-24.16.D governs outdoor dining as part of the Zoning Law's broader outdoor assembly, seating and sales standards. Any restaurant, bar or other food service business that wants to serve patrons outdoors must apply annually to the Code Enforcement Officer for an outdoor dining permit, and the applicant must first secure site plan approval before the permit can issue. Every outdoor dining permit expires on December 31 of the year it is issued, must be posted in a conspicuous location on the premises, and cannot be assigned or transferred to a new operator.

An establishment that has not had its permit suspended or revoked can renew for another year by filing a renewal application and paying the prescribed fee. Because outdoor dining areas fall under § 215-24.16's general standards too, the seating cannot block windows, entrances, exits, sidewalks or fire lanes, cannot exceed 30% of the primary use's gross floor area, and must be cleared of trash at all times; furniture must be removed, enclosed or secured outside business hours. Any bar or restaurant that wants to serve alcohol outdoors has an extra step: it must obtain written approval from the New York State Liquor Authority before the Town will issue the outdoor dining permit, on top of whatever liquor license NYSLA already requires for indoor service.