City of Syracuse issues guidelines for winter outdoor dining during pandemic

The City released an updated Winter Dining Guidelines and Updates handbook for business owners. It was developed in a partnership between the City’s Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Department of Neighborhood and Business Development (NBD) in consultation with local businesses.

The guidelines include portable outdoor gas-fired heating appliances (patio heaters), requirements issued by the Syracuse Fire Department. All cafe seating, parklets, or enclosure items require permits and proper documentation on file with DPW and the central permit office, Walsh’s office said.

The guidelines stipulate that restaurants and bars can continue to offer outdoor café seating on sidewalks and the public right-of-way “until further notice.” Businesses are responsible for clearing all snow from their sidewalks around café seating and ensuring that pedestrians have a minimum six feet path “clear of snow and ice at all times” that café seating materials are set up on the sidewalk.

The guidelines also allow businesses to continue the use of parklets — the outdoor seating areas in parking spaces outside establishments. DPW will request businesses remove and store the parklets for the season prior to the first major snow event.

To enable more outdoor seating, the guidelines allow the placement of temporary outdoor vestibules, membrane structures (domes, or other), and awnings installed no earlier than Oct. 15 and removed by Mar. 31 the following spring. Proper sidewalk space is required around the enclosures and snow clearance must be completed at all times.  DPW must review all plans and drawings.

Businesses are required to have proper approvals from the City and must contact the central permit office at (315) 448-8600 to continue the use of café seating and parklets and to add outdoor enclosures in the right-of-way.

SEDCO grant funding

Earlier this week, Walsh announced the opening of a winter round of grant funding through the Syracuse Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO) to help small businesses make investments to deal with the pandemic and the colder weather.

Small businesses in the City of Syracuse with 50 or fewer employees are eligible for grants between $2,500 and $10,000.

Grant recipients can use the funds to purchase outdoor equipment such as tents, awnings, enclosures or heaters, as well as other ways to adapt the COVID-19 business challenges.

Details on the program and applications can be found online at www.syrgov.net/SEDCO_Home.aspx.