Covid-19 resources

Extensions of the COVID-19 expansion of premise permits

On 10/19/2020, the New Jersey Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control issued Special Ruling 2020-21 which authorizes extensions of the COVID-19 expansion of premise permits. If you wish to extend this permit until 3/31/2021, you must to do so via the NJ State ABC “POSSE Portal” https://www.nj.gov/oag/abc/posse/index.html prior to November 23, 2020. While you are under no obligation to extend this COVID-19 expansion permit, please note that if you choose not to all liquor service in these expanded outdoor areas must cease on November 30, 2020.

COVID-19 Testing for Employees of Hoboken Businesses

Employees of any local Hoboken business are eligible for COVID-19 testing through the City of Hoboken's partnership with ivee. The testing expansion reflects Hoboken’s commitment to assisting small businesses with additional safety precautions in preparation for a gradual re-opening. Employees of Hoboken businesses do not need to have COVID-19 symptoms in order to receive a test.

Registering for a Test

Appointments with ivee are required and available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and can be scheduled using the following link: http://www.hobokennj.gov/ivee

Testing with ivee is available to both Hoboken residents and employees of Hoboken businesses. An employee of a Hoboken businesses does not need to live in Hoboken in order to schedule a test. The City will pay for the cost of a test for any employee or resident who does not have health insurance.  

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COVID-19 SMALL BUSINESS RECOVERY STRATEGY

The City of Hoboken COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Strategy permits businesses to expand outdoor space on the sidewalk, create shared outdoor spaces as strEATERIES and Parklets, and creates a framework for businesses to operate further into the street during scheduled road closures. As re-opening guidelines from the State of New Jersey allow for 25% indoor capacity, the City of Hoboken is proactively maximizing outdoor space for businesses to provide safe areas for customers. Learn more by reviewing the Hoboken COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Strategy presentation and Winter Outdoor Dining presentation. #hobokenstrong #lovelocal

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Review the Winter Outdoor Dining presentation for a summary of all guidelines

Outdoor Dining Setup

Hours of Operation

• The hours of operation for all outdoor dining has been revised and is now the same for all sidewalk cafes, parklets and strEATERIES: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday – Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to midnight Thursday - Saturday.
• All cafes, parklets and strEATERIES should be vacated and broken down by the end time.
• Sponsor is responsible for ensuring that the last seating allows for adequate time to meet these hours of operation.

Outdoor Dining Setup

• MASK UP sign should be posted in outdoor dining area.
• NO MASK NO ENTRY sign should be posted at entrance.
• 6’ egress for pedestrians must be provided in a straight path that is clear of any obstructions.
• Tables and chairs must be set 6’ apart measured from the back of opposite facing chairs or from table-to-table where they are set side by side. Alternatively,
• No standing occupancy is allowed in the outdoor dining area.
• Waiting customers are not permitted to congregate.  Recommend taking reservations or cell phone numbers to call customers when their table is ready.
• Customers must wear a mask to and from the restroom.
• 6’ social distancing marks should be placed on the floor for restroom lines.

Download the MASK UP sign or NO MASK, NO ENTRY sign

If you are asked by a City employee to adjust some part of your outdoor setup, please cooperate, as we are looking out for your best interest and the best interest of Hoboken residents

Entertainment

• NO DJs and NO amplified music, broadcast announcements or speakers are allowed in outdoor dining areas including sidewalk cafes, strEATERIES, parklets, and Summer Streets. Live acoustic music is permitted until 10 PM.
• All outdoor entertainment should end by 10 PM.
• TVs and projectors are allowed but must be on mute.
• TVs and projectors cannot be permanently attached to the structure, and must be returned inside at the end of the day.
• Sound from indoor speakers or entertainment should not be plainly audible beyond the property line.

Heat

• Heating for ALL outdoor dining has to be approved by the Fire Department and/orBuilding Department, as follows.

Propane Heaters

• Propane or any other heater with an LP cylinder requires a permit from the Hoboken Fire Department.
• Heater cannot be placed within 5’ of building, under an overhang or canopy, or within 5’ of anything combustible.
• Fire extinguisher must be located within 25’ of heater.
• Patrons must not interact with heater.
• Heat tank cannot be stored inside or within 10’ of the establishment (heater can, but tank must be removed).
• Heater must be removed during storms or snow events.
• Heater must automatically turnoff when tipped over. Tip drill shall be performed to ensure safety.
• Heater must be UL listed with classifications and safety instructions from manufacturer. Personnel must understand the functionality of the heater.

Electric Heaters

• Electric heater requires approval from the Hoboken Building Department.
• Fire extinguisher must be located within 25’ of heater.
• Patrons must not interact with heater.
• Heater must be removed during storms or snow events.
• Heater must be UL listed with classifications and safety instructions from manufacturer. Personnel must understand the functionality of the heater.

Structures or Seasonal Canopies

Governor’s Executive Orders

• EO 163: “food or beverage establishments are permitted to offer in-person service at outdoor areas, defined as open air spaces that either 1) have no roof or cover or 2) have a fixed roof or temporary or seasonal awning or cover, with at least two open sides that would comprise over 50 % of the total wall space if the space were fully enclosed.”
• EO 194: the definition of “outdoor areas” in EO 163 is updated to include the following:“a. Outdoor enclosed structures, such as plastic domes, to seat individual parties, provided they meet the following criteria: i. The use of the structures complies with the requirements for outdoor dining contained in EO 157 and associated guidance issued byDOH; ii. Each party is limited to no more than eight individuals at a time; iii. The structure is ventilated and cleaned and sanitized in accordance with CDC and DOH guidance between seatings; iv. The structure and use of the structures otherwise comply with all other applicable codes and regulations, including the provisions of theFire Safety Code; and v. Any necessary municipal approvals and permits are obtained prior to use of the structure. Such structures shall be considered “outdoor dining” for purposes of determining the establishment’s capacity limitations as described in EO 157 and EO 183”

City of Hoboken Requirements

• Any structure must be located at an establishment with a valid, City-issued permit for operation of a parklet, strEATERY, or sidewalk café.
• Side enclosures without roofs:

1. Plexiglass, plastic, or vinyl sided enclosures that encompass the entire sidewalk café or parklet may be permitted provided that there are removable window panels, doors, or other ventilation.
2. Outdoor Dining Setup requirements above must be followed to maintain 6’ social distance.

• Temporary “pop-up” structures including canopies and tents:

1. Must be removed from the street and sidewalk overnight, when not in use, and during storms or snow events.
2. Must fit within the currently approved boundaries of the sidewalk café, strEATERY, or parklet.
3. Must not negatively impact sightlines to a degree that threatens health and/or safety, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
4. Cannot be more than 50% enclosed or will be considered indoor dining.
5. Canopies and tents less than 10’ x 10’ do not require a permit. Larger canopies require approval from the Hoboken Zoning, Building, and Fire Departments.

• Temporary “pop-up” semi-enclosed structures used to seat individual parties such aspods, plastic domes, or igloos:

1. Must be removed from the street and sidewalk overnight, when not in use, and during storms or snow events.
2. Must fit within the currently approved dimensions and boundaries of the sidewalk café, strEATERY, or parklet. Some encroachment from a parklet or strEATERY onto the sidewalk may be allowed on a case-by-case basis provided that the structure does not decrease the passable sidewalk width to less than 6’or encroach upon any other sidewalk feature in a manner that the City deems contrary to health and safety, and, if the semi-enclosed structures is mostly within the street, it is supported by a structure that is flush with the curb height.
3. Must not negatively impact sightlines to a degree that threatens health and/or safety, to be determined on a case-by-case basis.
4. Must not obstruct any required ADA access to the parklet, strEATERY, or sidewalk café.
5. Before installing the semi-enclosed structures, the business must email the cleaning protocol that they plan to follow between each group occupancy to businessrecovery@hobokennj.gov.
6. Cannot be used by more than one individual party at a time.
7. For structures less than 10’ x 10,’ the maximum group size is 6 people. For structures greater than 10’ x 10,’ the maximum group size is 8 people. At no time shall a structure seat more than 8 people
8. Structures less than 10’ x 10’ do not require a permit. Larger canopies require approval from the Hoboken Zoning, Building, and Fire Departments.

• Semi-permanent fixed structures including pergolas or roofs:

1. May remain during storms or snow events, if approved by the BuildingDepartment (i.e., for wind loading and weight of snow).
2. Require approval from the Hoboken Zoning, Building, and Fire Departments.

• Any structures in the Washington-Hudson Historic District or Terminal Historic District(see map in permit extension application):

1. Shall not attach canopies to their building and shall not drill or otherwise create holes in the building façade without first obtaining a Certificate of No Effect from the Historic Preservation Office.
2. All installations should be either free-standing to not affect the building or should be designed so as to avoid non-reversible damage to the façade.

Snow Removal

• All outdoor dining establishments must comply with City Code Chapter §168-8 Snow Removal.
• Approved strEATERY materials should be broken down and stored securely during a snow event. strEATERY materials shall not impede pedestrian operations or City snow removal operations.
• Approved parklet extension permits will require a snow removal plan (see permit extension application) describing how the sponsor will safely remove snow from the parklet and from 4’ in all directions adjacent to the parklet within 6 hours following a snow event.
• The City of Hoboken, by order of the Chief of Police or the Office of Emergency Management, may require a strEATERYto be the removal or restrict the set-up of strEATERIES for reasons of public safety.
• Parklets on Snow Emergency Routes may be required to be removed for reasons of public safety. The City of Hoboken reserves the right to require the removal or temporary relocation of any parklet, within 14 days of written notice to the sponsor, for purposes of street repairs or other municipal work in or around the location of the parklet.  The City further reserves the right to remove or have removed or relocated any parklet, upon order of the Chief of Police or the Office of Emergency Management, in the case of an emergency or imminent hazard, or for reasons of public safety.

Use the map below to locate a strEATERY or Parklet for outdoor dining.

Hoboken's Small Business Recovery Strategy includes flexible options to facilitate outdoor expansion by local businesses, and permits the following types of outdoor capacity expansion through an expedited approval process.

The application process provides general design guidelines for sidewalk cafes, stEATERIES, and parklets. Every application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to accommodate different locations and types of businesses.

Apply for a strEATERY or parklet

Restaurants must abide by the Outdoor Dining Protocols and Process to Expand Premises for Liquor License Holders outlined in the Governor's Executive Order 150 and New Jersey Department of Health Executive Directive 20-04.

Summary of Options for Expanding Outdoor Capacity

‍Sidewalk Cafe Expansion

Daily outdoor sidewalk cafes can extend hours of operation by one hour on Thursday, Friday and Saturdays.

Sidewalk cafes can expand area with or without barriers, so long as 6 feet of sidewalk width is maintained. Businesses can expand outdoor cafes to adjacent properties with the neighboring property owner’s consent.

Tables in the sidewalk cafe must be 6 feet apart measured from backs of opposite chairs to promote social distancing.

How to Apply

Apply for a Sidewalk Cafe

A sidewalk cafe is the outdoor eating space that is on the sidewalk and is directly associated with a restaurant or bar. Parklets and StrEATERIES are in the street and separate from this application process. See applications for parklets and strEATERIES below.

1. Download the sidewalk café application
2. Send application and all required documents together via email to hpc@hobokennj.gov‍
3. Your application will be processed as quickly as possible and your license will be returned to you via email.

‍License Renewal

The license renewal process has been streamlined for this year and the fees have been waived.  You only need to submit the completed application form, confirmation of insurance.‍

If you want to expand your café area beyond where it has been in past years, either further out into the sidewalk or in front of a neighboring business (as permitted by the COVID-19 business recovery ordinance) you will also need to provide the following:

1. A sketch of the expanded café area including length and width of the café and the width of the sidewalk.  Measure from the outer edge of the café to the curb and from the cafe to any existing obstructions such as trees, lampposts, benches or bus shelters; and
2. If expanding in front of another building/business, you must submit two letters: one from the owner of the neighboring building and one from the business owner approving your use of their sidewalk.

New Licensees

Applicants who have not held a Sidewalk Café license previously must file a complete application and all of the required documents. The application must be accompanied by:

1. Proof of insurance;
2. Health Department certification;
3. A letter from your landlord authorizing use of the sidewalk;
4. An architectural drawing of the café area with detailed measurements of the café and sidewalk.
5. New applicants proposing to use space to the right or left of their own storefront must also supply letters from the owner of the neighboring building and the owner of the adjacent business.

Questions? Please contact Zoning Officer Ann Holtzman at aholtzman@hobokennj.gov

Liquor Licenses

If you are a liquor license holder and plan to expand your café area beyond what is already covered by your liquor license you must apply for a “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises” license.  This fast-track application is available on the State ABC POSSE Portal.

Your expansion of premises must be approved by theHoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.

Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org

strEATERY: new outdoor shared spaces

Daily outdoor, shared public space that temporarily converts curbside parking spaces for outdoor dining where take-away food and beverages can be consumed.

Dining space must be separated from adjacent parking and travel lane using moveable safety barriers such as barricades, planters, bollards, or similar structures.

Tables in the strEATERY must be 6 feet apart measured from backs of opposite chairs to promote social distancing.

How to Apply

Apply for a new strEATERY

Questions? Please contact City Engineer Olga Garcia at engineering@hobokennj.gov

Liquor Licenses

If you are a liquor license holder and plan to expand your capacity beyond what is already covered by your liquor license  into a strEATERY or parklet you must apply for a “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises” license.  This fast-track application is available on the State ABC POSSE Portal.

Your expansion of premises must be approved by theHoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.

Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org

Parklets: new outdoor shared spaces

Seasonal outdoor, shared public space that temporarily converts curbside parking into a mini-park as a platform extension of the sidewalk. Parklets can be used for retail or outdoor dining where take-away food and beverages can be consumed.

Dining space must be enclosed from adjacent parking and travel lane using built-in safety barriers such as planters, benches, walls, railings, and bollards.

Tables in the Parklet must be 6 feet apart measured from backs of opposite chairs to promote social distancing.

How to Apply

Apply for a new Parklet

Questions? Please contact City Engineer Olga Garcia at engineering@hobokennj.gov

Liquor Licenses

If you are a liquor license holder and plan to expand your capacity beyond what is already covered by your liquor license  into a strEATERY or parklet you must apply for a “COVID-19 Expansion of Premises” license.  This fast-track application is available on the State ABC POSSE Portal.

Your expansion of premises must be approved by the Hoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.

‍‍Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org

Open streets for businesses

Outdoor, shared public space that temporarily close up to 3 contiguous blocks of specific roadways on Sundays from 9 AM - 8 PM and Thursdays from 6 PM - 11 PM (schedule may change).

Open Streets expand outdoor seating capacity for businesses with additional space, as opposed to congregating or a “block party.” The City provides required police, sanitation, and barricades for scheduled road closures.

Open streets for business build off pilot open streets on Jefferson Street , Park Avenue, and Adams Street to facilitate additional socially distanced space for pedestrians for biking, walking and jogging.

How to Apply

Apply for an Open Street

Questions? Please contact City Engineer Olga Garcia at engineering@hobokennj.gov

Liquor Licenses

Existing licensee must file for an "Event Permit Expansion of Premises" application for approval by the NJ State ABC. The area in which alcohol will be served/consumed must be gated from the rest of the open street. Security from the licensed establishment must secure the entry and exit of said area to ensure identifications are checked upon entry for legal age and liquor does not leave gated area.

Your expansion of premises must be approved by the Hoboken Police Department (Lt. Kucz), ABC Board Secretary (Suzanne Hetman), and the State ABC Division before alcoholic beverages may be served in the expanded area.

Liquor License Questions? Please contact Lt. Kucz at kuczc@hobokenpd.org

Expanded Retail Use of Sidewalks

Retail businesses and services can use the area in front of their stores to display merchandise during business hours. Any new temporary signage associated with the retail use shall comply with the Zoning Code.

No application is required.

Fees

Sidewalk café fees are waived for 2020, and those with existing 2020 licenses will be credited in 2021.

The City is exploring various options with the Hoboken Business Alliance and other groups to help subsidize the cost of the streateries, parklets, and open streets.

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Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla signed an executive order permitting gyms and fitness clubs to utilize certain City fields, parks, and other facilities in order to facilitate safe, socially distanced outdoor workouts. The executive order was signed in anticipation of a reduction in capacity and limitations within certain gymnasiums and fitness centers during a gradual re-opening, and difficulties of social distancing in certain indoor locations. The City encourages fitness clubs to utilize outdoor space as much as possible for workouts given recommendations from the CDC.

Owners or managers of fitness centers can now apply to host outdoor classes of up to 15 people in certain outdoor parks and fields, with strict social distancing guidelines of at least 6 feet between each participant at all times. The gyms and fitness clubs utilizing the field space will, in exchange, host additional free Fitness in the Park classes for the Hoboken public.

How to Apply

Apply to Host Fitness Classes at a City Facility

Gym owners may apply to utilize outdoor space in certain city fields and parks. Each application will be reviewed by City staff on a case by case basis, with gym owners asked to provide additional information about the proposed outdoor workouts. Gyms will be restricted to certain activities given the requested location of outdoor space, and priority will be given for morning locations.

The City’s ability to accept any applications, in whole or part, is further subject to space limitations on the area(s) requested by the applicant, and any other unforeseen circumstances that may arise.

Questions? Please contact Director of Health & Human Services Leo Pellegrini at lpellegrini@hobokennj.gov.