Cape Coral City Council Approves Plan to Allow Temporary Expansion of Outdoor Dining Areas
On May 11, the Cape Coral City Council approved a plan to allow restaurants to temporarily expand outdoor seating areas to areas not previously allowed. This allows restaurants to utilize parking lots and additional outdoor spaces to provide sufficient spacing between tables to comply with CDC guidelines.
All temporary outdoor seating must satisfy the requirements in the resolution to be approved by Council.
Businesses must register with the City by emailing the name, location, contact information and a description of the outdoor seating arrangements to planning@capecoral.net.
The criteria include:
Businesses must register with the City by emailing the name, location, contact information and a description of the outdoor seating arrangements to planning@capecoral.net.
The criteria include:
- Different regulations for businesses that are located on City owned or controlled parking lots;
- Must comply with building and fire code requirements;
- Must comply with Department of Health requirements;
- If serving alcoholic beverages must have proper licensing from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco
- On private property, the outdoor seating area cannot exceed 25% of the restaurants required parking
- On City parking lots, the outdoor seating area cannot exceed 10 spots or 1,400 square feet (whichever is less)
- If erecting a tent or sun shelter as part of the seating they must obtain a tent permit.