NYC Sets Heat Lamp Rules For Outdoor Dining

NEW YORK CITY — A forest of electric, natural gas and portable heaters soon will sprout outside thousands of New York City restaurants.

Outdoor dining eateries have three options for heating their open-air spaces under new rules unveiled by the city this week. They apply to establishments in the city’s Open Restaurants program, which began as a measure to safely provide dining options through the coronavirus pandemic and now will be a permanent feature of New York City.

There are 10,500 restaurants and other establishments enrolled in the program, officials said.

“These guidelines are designed to keep diners, employees, and pedestrians safe and healthy – and we look forward to giving New Yorkers more chances than ever to enjoy the outdoors year-round,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio in a statement. “Restaurants make New York City the greatest city in the world, and we’re proud to support their continued recovery from this crisis.”

The guidelines allow restaurants to use three different types of heaters, each with slightly different requirements as to where, according to a release. Those are:

• Electric radiant heaters in sidewalk and roadway seating setups. The Department of Buildings has guidance here.
• Natural gas radiant heaters on the sidewalk only. They must also comply with the city’s Fire Code. The full guidance Department of Buildings can been seen here. Natural gas radiant heaters must also comply with the Fire Code.
• Portable heaters fueled by propane on the sidewalk only. The Fire Department will oversee propane heating and has set requirements for safe handling, use and storage. That guidance can be read here.