Pasco County Permits Restaurants To Expand Open Seating

PASCO COUNTY, FL — As Pasco County restaurants reopen at the mandated 25 percent capacity, Pasco County commissioners are giving restaurant owners a chance to expand outdoors.

Under Gov. Ron DeSantis' first phase of reopenings, restaurants and other retail businesses are permitted to reopen at 25 percent of their indoor capacity but there are no limits on outdoor dining space other than maintaining social distancing.

With that in mind, commissioners are permitting restaurants to temporarily use parking spaces and other areas of their properties for outdoor dining without submitting a permit application.

Under the Pasco County Restaurant Recovery - Phase 1 initiative, restaurant owners can expand their outdoor seating during normal business hours providing social distancing and group gathering restrictions remain in place.

The following restrictions apply:

• No streets, driveways, drive aisles, drive-throughs or other areas of traffic circulation can be impeded or blocked.
• ADA parking spaces and required access cannot be impeded.
• Seating areas cannot encroach or enter any landscape buffers.
• Additional permits may be required for the use of tents. Confirm with Central Permitting prior to installation.
• Any alcohol sales or consumption must comply with state guidelines. This may include some form of barrier or designated entryway.
• Temporary barriers on the restaurant property must safely delineate the seating area but do not require additional permitting if they do not pose a safety hazard. No permanent barriers can be installed without proper permits.
• Permanent plumbing, electrical and lighting fixtures can't be installed.
• Any temporary lighting should not impair visibility on nearby streets and should not shine into nearby residences.
• For restaurants within a strip mall, plaza, shopping center or other multi-tenant space, the restaurant must get the property manager/owner's permission.

Click here for a complete list of restrictions.