Temporary Outdoor Dining Certificate
CT begins Phase 1 of its Reopen CT tomorrow, Wednesday, May 20. The state has issued two documents governing the process. The first is a set of rules to be followed by each of the business sectors opening this week (restaurants, retail, and museums/zoos). The second document is an Executive Order from the Governor which addresses zoning and outdoor commerce.
Fundamentally, the executive order expands opportunities for outdoor commerce while streamlining the approval process. Planning and Zoning finds this approach essential to our economic recovery and supports it wholeheartedly. You are permitted 50% of your indoor seating capacity outside on your property wherever you can fit them and still comply with the attached DECD guidelines. This will need to be spelled out in your application to me as described in the attached application. If you can’t do it on private property there is also an option to use town property. In this instance, you have to go through other departments before you submit the application to me. The required insurance for that option is here.
If you have a permit from the State of CT to serve alcohol within your existing outdoor dining area with no modifications proposed, you may serve liquor. If you are asking for an extended or a new outdoor dining facility, your existing liquor permit will extend to any additional outdoor dining facilities the Town approves. If you do not have a current liquor license, please check with the Liquor Control Commission to see if a temporary permit may be obtained. You may also allow BYOB in this case. Outdoor bars are not permitted, and alcohol may only be served ancillary to primary food service. Pursuant to Executive Order 7MM, Hours of Operation are limited to 9:00 PM from Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. This requirement supersedes any later hours that might otherwise be permitted.