Hoboken Announces It Will Allow Outdoor Dining Through Winter

HOBOKEN, NJ — The city of Hoboken announced Wednesday that it will allow restaurants to continue outdoor dining through the winter months by permitting certain types of outdoor heating and other measures.

The bar and restaurant industry is among the economic engines of the riverfront city, with more than 130 liquor licenses in one square mile.

As of Sept. 4, Gov. Phil Murphy allowed restaurants to seat people indoors at 25 percent capacity — but many Hoboken restaurants have been able to expand their outdoor dining capacity through "streateries" and "parklets" on sidewalks and streets.

The city announced: "Today, the city provided guidance for restaurants on the continuation of outdoor dining for the winter months. We are doing everything we can to work with our businesses to keep as many people outdoors in a safe, comfortable and socially distant environment. ...The city is permitting both electric and propane heaters for outdoor dining with approvals from the Building Department (electric) and Fire Department (propane)."

See more details below.

Uptick in cases

The city also said that from last Thursday through this Wednesday morning, the city had recorded 14 new positive coronavirus cases.

"The five positive results from September 15 were residents who got tested at Prompt MD’s pop-up testing site at 605 Jackson St. on Monday," the city said, "with a total of 221 tested, corresponding to just over a 2 percent positivity rate for the day. Since the beginning of the pandemic, 743 Hoboken residents tested positive for COVID-19."

As of Friday, the Hoboken Health Department reported 679 residents having fully recovered from covid-19. Fatalities remain unchanged at 31, the last one in May.

Mayor Ravi Bhalla said, "As I’ve mentioned in previous updates, as Hoboken and New Jersey continue with a gradual reopening with schools, indoor dining and more, we expect to see an uptick in infections. Despite these reopenings, covid-19 continues to remain a threat and it’s even more important now to continue taking important precautions: wear a face mask, avoid large indoor gatherings, and practice regular social distancing."

Prompt MD will test this Monday at 605 Jackson St. between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visit www.hobokennj.gov/promptmd for a test. The city also has regular testing uptown; see details below.

Outdoor dining details for winter

Propane heating:

• 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 heating:

• 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 and seasonal canopies:

• Per 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.”
• Shade, seasonal canopies, sheds, or other structures more than 50% enclosed would be considered indoor dining.
• Temporary “pop-up” seasonal canopies less than 10’ x 10’ do not require a permit. Larger canopies require approval from the Hoboken Building Department and Hoboken Fire Department.
• Seasonal canopies must be removed during storms or snow events.
• Structures may remain during storms or snow events, if approved by the Building Department (i.e., for wind loading and weight of snow).

New noise regulations to limit local impacts:

• 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.
• 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.

Applying for streateries:

Any business which would like to apply for a new parklet or streatery should do so by October 1, 2020. All businesses with an existing parklet or streatery should reapply for a permit by October 31, 2020, which will permit the parklet and streatery through December 31, 2021. For all applications, full guidance, and additional information regarding outdoor dining in the winter, and contact information for businesses to reach city staff, visit the business recovery home page and click the presentation link.

Here are other recent Hoboken coronavirus statistics from Patch:

• This past Thursday, Bhalla said that 729 residents have tested positive in Hoboken since the beginning of the pandemic. See a recent update here.
• Here are statistics on Hoboken residents under 16 testing positive for the virus.

Here is other coronavirus information for Hoboken:

SCHOOLS

• The Hoboken public schools reopened Monday, Sept. 14 remotely, and are set to reopen on-site Sept. 21 for those who requested it.
• The district has offered a reopening plan giving parents a choice of either full-time on-site learning (until 3 p.m.) or full-time distance learning. In the buildings, there will be restrictions, such as kids wearing masks and maintaining a 6-foot distance.

LIBRARY
See this story.

HOW TO GET HELP WITH HEAT, RENT, AND MORE

• During the State of Emergency in New Jersey, no tenant is permitted to be evicted from their home or apartment for the inability to pay rent. Talk to your local mayor's office if you are experiencing difficulties.
• The CARES act has made money available to help with rent in each city. More information is here.
• New Jersey residents can get help with heating and energy bills. Information is here.
• Various other avenues of relief and benefits have also been made available, including family leave for 12 weeks if you can't work due to your child's school or camp being closed, and changes to unemployment rules to help those who were at a job for a short time, or freelancing.

LONG-TERM CARE

• New Jersey residents have become alarmed at the high number of residents who have passed away in nursing homes, rehabs, and similar facilities. The state announced plans in May to increase testing at some long term care facilities and to bring in the National Guard to help make changes.
• The state released death toll statistics for long-term care facilities like rehabs and nursing homes. See the list here.
• You can report problems with long term care facilities here, or if you suspect coronavirus related misconduct, here.
• Some New Jersey long-term care facilities reopened for limited visits, with precautions, in July.

Here are statewide coronavirus resources:

• NJ COVID-19 Information Hub: https://covid19.nj.gov/
• General COVID-19 questions: 2-1-1
• NJ COVID-19 hotline: (800) 222-1222

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