A 2304 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

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

This bill allows restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries in New Jersey to legally use tents, canopies, and other fixtures on their owned or leased outdoor spaces (like patios, parking lots, or sidewalks) for dining, expanding outdoor service options. Businesses must submit applications to municipal zoning officers including design plans and waste management strategies, with parking lots limited to 75% usage for dining unless smaller than eight spaces. Municipalities can require insurance or written consent but cannot deny permits for reasons unrelated to health, safety, or zoning. The law specifically permits sidewalk dining extensions and updates procedures for outdoor dining approvals.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action Jan 13, 2026
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Jan 13, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Referred to Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee
lower
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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