ALBANY – Governor Cuomo on Thursday, signed a law that will allow restaurants to utilize municipal spaces like sidewalks and streets for outdoor dining. Cuomo had previously used an Executive Order to allow the use of public space for dining.
This law, according to the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Owners Association, allows restaurants to continue using these public spaces for another year as they recover from the economic devastation brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cuomo initially issued the order in June 2020, and it expired in June of 2021. The order allowed restaurants and bars to serve their patrons food or beverages on-premises in outdoor space while their indoor capacity was limited.
Establishments were permitted to expand the licensed premises to use public spaces, such as sidewalks or closed streets, subject to reasonable limitations and procedures set by the State Liquor Authority and the safety and supervision plans of the local municipality.
With the conclusion of the declared Disaster Emergency, the Executive Orders must be codified by the Legislature to continue in effect. The legislation was necessary to allow the State Liquor Authority the discretion to continue to permit licensees to use this space without prior approval.
Restaurant usage of outdoor public space must meet all federal, state, and local laws, rules, and guidance, according to the new law, according to the Empire State Restaurant & Tavern Owners Association.
Restaurants, according to the new law, must also have a temporary use permit from the municipality, which is tasked with ensuring the public space is used in a safe, orderly manner. New applicants will need to provide community notification in a manner consistent with the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control Law. All licensees who were using such spaces may continue to do so but will be required to provide the SLA with notification within 90 days, subject to guidance the State Liquor Authority has been tasked with producing.
