Hillsborough Township Moves to Issue Temporary Outdoor Dining Permits Application Process to be Streamlined in Light of June 15th Approval

Hillsborough Township 379 South  Branch Road

Hillsborough, NJ 08844

Phone (908) 369-4313

Fax (908) 369-6034

News Release

Contact:  Mayor Doug Tomson FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Deputy Mayor Shawn Lipani June 9, 2020

Phone:    908-369-3535

Hillsborough Township Moves to Issue Temporary Outdoor Dining Permits 

Application Process to be Streamlined in Light of June 15th Approval 

On March 9, 2020, Governor Murphy executed Executive Order 103 declaring a statewide State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was shortly thereafter followed on March 16, 2020 Executive Order 104 limiting all restaurants, dining establishments, and food courts, with or without a liquor license, all bars, and all other holders of a liquor license with retail consumption privileges, to offering food delivery and/or take-out services only, meaning that they could not allow the on-premise consumption of food or beverages.  These limitations have resulted in significant financial loss and hardship to these businesses

“We have been working with our business community during this pandemic on creative ways to promote their businesses amid the restrictions, such as the Hillsborough Open for Business promotional videos, website and Facebook updates for services and hours of operations and the Open Hillsborough Task Force,” stated Mayor Doug Tomson.

On June 3, 2020, Governor Murphy executed Executive Order 150 to permit as of 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 15, 2020, restaurants, cafeterias, dining establishments, and food courts, with or without a liquor license, bars, and all other holders of a liquor license with retail consumption privileges to offer in-person service at outdoor areas provided that the establishment complies with the requirements set forth in Executive Order 150, health and safety standards issued by the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health and local requirements.

“We recognize the significant financial loss and hardship incurred by our food establishment community due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions placed upon their operations.  As a result, “Temporary Dining Permit Applications” to be issued through the Zoning Department, through an expedited and streamlined review process will be issued to applicants wishing to offer outdoor dining,” stated Deputy Mayor Shawn Lipani, who also serves as Liaison to the Economic and Business Development Commission. “There will be no fee for these applications,” added Deputy Mayor Lipani.

“It is important to note safety of our residents and community is paramount and therefore inspections of the areas will be necessary to ensure all safety measures are being met.  However, we believe this temporary permit will further assist the food establishments in Hillsborough during this pandemic,” concluded the Deputy Mayor.

Temporary outdoor dining permits will be issued through the Zoning Department in collaborative review with the Health Department, Business Advocate and Fire Safety when necessary.  The goal is to have permits issued in conjunction with the June 15th date to permit such activity.  

For more information on Outdoor Dining Permits, please contact the Business Advocate’s Office at 908-369-4313 ext. 7106 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

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