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Outdoor Dining

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Restaurants in Newton may obtain annual permits through the City’s Licensing Commission to provide food and alcohol service for outdoor dining:

  1. On private property all year, weather permitting;
  2. On city sidewalks all year, weather permitting;
  3. In protected, on-street parking spaces from April 1 to January 2; and
  4. In a combination of areas listed above. 

In case of an emergency or heavy snowfall, Public Works may require early removal of outdoor dining areas from public ways.

Application process (start here)

  1. Visit the Licensing Commission webpage which explains the licensing process in detail and lists all the required documentation. Please note this process differs depending on (a) where an outdoor dining area is situated, and (b) whether alcohol may be served. 

  2. Download the licensing guide. 

  3. Sign into NewGov to access all permit applications (or create a NewGov user account): https://newtonma.viewpointcloud.com/

Additional guidance

Accessibility Requirements
City Staff Contacts

 

Guidance by type of seating area

Notification requirements - All sidewalk applicants must:

  1. Notify abutters within 300 feet of the proposed premises by first class mail or email. Request an abutters list. The City requires a copy of the notice that is sent to abutters.
  2. Notify the three City Councilors of the Ward where the restaurant is located.
  3. Health and Human Services will provide each applicant a window placard stating that a sidewalk seating application has been submitted and is under review.

Alcohol Service - For outdoor service of alcohol, the dining area must be enclosed per State law.

Clear Zone - A minimum 48-inch-width “clear zone” (unobstructed pedestrian path) must be maintained on the sidewalk at all times. Tables and chairs cannot block access to any fixed objects (hydrants, parking meters, benches, bus stops, entrances to buildings, etc.). Sidewalk dining cannot block access to parked vehicles from the public sidewalk.

Seating Capacity - Seats in the public way do not count towards a restaurant’s City-approved seating capacity relative to parking requirements. However, seating may be constrained by:

  • The building's frontage and obstacles in the public way (such as hydrants), and
  • The Uniform Plumbing Code, which limits the number of seats relative to the number of plumbing fixtures available to patrons. In addition, the Architectural Access Board requires a ratio of the plumbing fixtures to be accessible.