Port Outdoors Dine & Shop permitting falls under the Town of North Hempstead’s Lift Up Local Initiative. As such, certain restrictions apply for participation.
- The parameters of the permit for expanded shopping and dining are two-fold:
- Street Closure Permit – Allows for restaurants to expand dining services by setting up table and chairs to serve customers in the street immediately in front of their establishment in concert with the Nassau County Department of Health regulations. Temporary liquor licensing is required by all serving any type of alcohol and clear borders must be delineated.
- Sidewalk Sale Permit – Allows for retail stores to expand display of goods for sale on the sidewalk immediately in front of their business.
- Food Serving – Other temporary food & beverage locations will not be allowed unless changes in permitting from Nassau County Department of Health are obtained. Any additional or temporary permitting will be the responsibility of the business setting up the temporary site in accordance with Nassau County Board of Health.
In keeping with the permitting parameters, the Port Outdoors Committee established the following guidelines for participating businesses.
- As both zones are within the BID, all tenants within specified zones are automatically included as members of the Business Improvement District. Those tenants are allowed to set up tables and/or signs immediately in front of their store. Restaurants are allowed to set up dining tables in accordance with current COVID guidelines. Restaurant tenants can utilize no more than 50% of the roadway to facilitate emergency vehicles in case of an emergency.
- As BID Members located outside of the two (2) zones cannot directly benefit from Port Outdoors, those BID members outside of the two zones may set up a temporary store in predetermined location(s) based on availability. The BID Member/business owner must submit an application form and agreement and receive approval from the POD committee 1 week prior to the specific date. Go to application HERE.
- The parameters of the Permit and the resulting insurance do not allow for independent merchants outside of the district (non-BID members) to set up temporary points of sale and conduct business on the street or sidewalks during the street closure times.
- No trailers or parked vehicles will be allowed on the street once street closures go into effect unless they are emergency vehicles or with the permission of the PWPD.