Mask Ordinance

Mask Ordinance 2021-09 Overview

On September 1, 2021, Lebanon City Council adopted Ordinance 2021-09 requiring that persons wear face masks as further outlined below. 

The purpose of this ordinance is to reduce the risk of the spread of the COVID-19 virus and all of its current variants, and potentially reducing the need for hospitalization and the number of fatalities. This ordinance shall continue in effect until rescinded by the action of the Council.

Face Mask FAQs

To better help residents and visitors understand our new mask ordinance, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions. To learn more, please review our "Face Mask FAQs" page.

Signage

The City encourages businesses and organizations to print the following signage for use at their locations. Businesses may also contact the Lebanon Police Department at 603-448-1212 to request posters be dropped off, while supplies last.

• Masks Required Poster (original PDF)
• Masks Required Poster (PDF with bleed marks)

Face Mask Regulations

1.    Members of the public entering or queued to enter; remaining in or exiting from, any business, governmental, or non-profit owned premises, or utilizing any form of public transportation must wear a face covering as described in paragraph 2 below. 

• Policies regarding face coverings in governmental buildings within the geographical boundaries of the City of Lebanon adopted by the governmental entity having jurisdiction over such buildings are hereby recognized by this ordinance and shall control in such buildings.
• Property owners shall have the authority to regulate the requirement to wear masks by any person, while on the premises of their property, by allowing persons to temporarily remove their masks while remaining on the premises when it is practical or becomes necessary to do so based upon the requirements of the services provided. 
• Property owners holding private events are permitted to exempt participants from wearing face masks under the limited circumstances as detailed below:
  • Private events are gatherings of persons such as employees of a company or other organization where the general public is not permitted to participate for a one- time special event such as a holiday party.
  • The entity hosting the event requires participants to be fully vaccinated. Participants who are not fully vaccinated or their vaccination status is unknown are required to wear a face mask as otherwise prescribed in this ordinance.  
  • Participants shall not have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.  
  • The person or entity responsible for sponsoring the event is responsible for ensuring the provisions of this ordinance are complied with. 
  • Operators of venues allowing private events to occur must make the organizers of those events aware of the requirements of this ordinance. Further, any employees or volunteers serving food or drink must wear a face mask whether vaccinated or not.  

2.    As used herein “face covering” means a covering made of cloth, fabric, or other soft or permeable material, without holes or exhalation air valves, that covers the nose, mouth, and surrounding areas of the lower face. A face covering may be factory made or homemade and improvised from ordinary household materials.

3.    Employees of all businesses shall wear a face covering over their mouth and nose when interacting with the public except when adequate physical barriers are in place to protect the public and the employee. Building owners, operators, managers, lessees, employers, businesses, and non-profit organizations, as appropriate, shall have the authority to waive masking for employees and volunteers who are known to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 while within the workplace or building space managed by them, provided however that mask requirements shall not be waived for employees and volunteers who are interacting in person with members of the public.

4.    Members of the public dining indoors at a restaurant may remove face covering while seated at their table. Members of the public must wear a mask when entering, using, or leaving the restroom of a restaurant.

5.    A person may temporarily remove their mask when in a business if obtaining a  service or product that requires verification of the person’s identity or age.

6.    Residents, visitors, and members of the public entering or present at a residential or commercial building complex of greater than two (2) units must wear a face covering over their nose and mouth while in common areas and communal spaces when social distancing of at least six feet is not practiced.

7.    Notwithstanding the above, this order does not require children under 3 years of age to wear face covering (parents should make their own judgment). Face covering is not recommended for children less than 2 years of age.

8.    A face covering is also not required to be worn by any person if said person can show a medical professional has advised that wearing a face covering may pose a risk to said person for health-related reasons.