NJ S3608

Establishes a permanent "premises expansion permit" system allowing restaurants, alcoholic beverage retailers, and manufacturers to sell food and beverages in outdoor spaces including patios, yards, walkways, and parking lots on or contiguous to their premises, or at non-contiguous locations in reasonable proximity

Requires permit applicants to submit property descriptions, owner authorization, and security plans to the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control, with municipal clerk and police chief endorsement required before state approval

Limits municipal restrictions on outdoor service hours, prohibiting municipalities from restricting operations before 10:00 p.m. on any day or between midnight and 11:00 a.m., except first-class cities may impose stricter limits

Caps parking lot use for outdoor dining at 75% of total spaces (unless fewer than 8 spaces exist) and requires at least one handicapped space to remain available

Converts existing COVID-19 temporary expansion permits to the new permanent permit system, with temporary permits expiring November 30, 2025, and requires the Director to issue implementing regulations by May 30, 2025