The Seasonal Outdoor Dining Expansion Program was established in June 2022 by the Town of Bristol. Under Bristol Town Ordinance 2022-05, businesses can request an expansion of their outdoor service areas into the public space located on the north side of State Street. This pilot program will conclude on October 31st, 2022.
Application Details
Applications can be submitted electronically through the OpenGov platform. Please Note: Users will be required to make an account to submit and track permit applications.
Town Council Petition – State Street Seasonal Outdoor Expansion Alcohol Service License
Businesses requesting to serve alcohol in their expansion area will be required to submit a petition to the Town Council for a separate Alcohol Service License. Petitions can be downloaded at the link below. Completed petitions should be uploaded with your expansion permit application on the OpenGov platform.
Please Note: Alcohol Service License Petitions will not be considered until Expansion Permits are approved by Town Administration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this program?
This is a pilot program that provides businesses the opportunity to request additional outdoor space on State Street to service customers. This program was established by the Bristol Town Council through Town Ordinance 2022-05. As part of this initiative, the Town of Bristol plans to convene a committee to conduct a formal study of this type of seasonal expansion. The current ordinance has an expiration date of November 7th, 2022.
How does this program differ from a Sidewalk Use Permit?
The 2022 Seasonal Outdoor Dining Expansion Program is a pilot program that will be located on the north side of State Street.
Unlike outdoor seating accommodations requested through the Sidewalk Use Permit, areas approved through the Seasonal Outdoor Dining Expansion Permit are not located in pedestrian right-of-way.
For your convenience, a high-level comparison is provided below.
| – | Seasonal Outdoor Dining Expansion Permit | Sidewalk Use Permit |
| Permit Duration | Seasonal, Pilot, Ordinance Expires 11/07/2022 | Annual, Recurring |
| Approval Authority | Town Administrator, Town Council (Alcohol Service License Only) | Town Council |
| Program Location | State Street | Town-Wide |
| Seating Location | Repurposed Parking Spaces | Sidewalk Space |
| Permit Conditions | Outlined in Town Ordinance 2022-05. Must also comply with other local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines. | Outlined in 25-10 in the Bristol Town Ordinances. Must also comply with other local, state, and federal regulations and guidelines. |
| Permit Fee | $100 | $100 |
Where can I read Town Ordinance 2022-05?
A downloadable PDF of the adopted ordinance can be found below.
Is there a permit fee?
Yes. A fee of $100 will be assessed following approval of an expansion permit application.
What does the town plan to do with the revenue from the permit fee?
The Town of Bristol will dedicate the revenue collected through the permit fee and put it toward the beautification of the expansion area’s perimeter.
Who do I contact for additional assistance?
For further assistance, please contact Eric Dickervitz, Operations Manger at [email protected].
Contact Us
Address: 10 Court Street, Bristol, RI 02809
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday | 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Melissa Cordeiro
Town Clerk
Phone: 401-253-7000 ext.130
Eric Dickervitz
Operations Manager
Phone: 401-253-7000 ext. 133