Permits use of tents and other fixtures for outdoor dining on certain property.

S 1685 allows restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries in New Jersey to use tents, canopies, and other fixtures for outdoor dining on their own business property (including parking lots and adjacent land) and on public sidewalks. Business owners must submit a detailed plan to their local zoning officer showing the layout and waste management strategy, and cannot cover more than 75% of a parking lot (except for lots with fewer than eight spaces) while maintaining at least one accessible parking spot. Municipalities can require insurance, written consent, or indemnification agreements and may deny or revoke permits for violations of health, safety, or zoning rules. The bill clarifies that outdoor dining extensions do not count as zoning variances and does not override existing liquor regulations.