Applications for Expanded Outdoor Seating in Downtown Rehoboth Beach are due no later than TODAY, March 1, 2021! Applications are under review and City staff are contacting restaurants.
The City, earlier this month, advised restaurants that if they wanted to offer outdoor seating that encroached upon public spaces, as they were allowed to do last year under the Governor’s State of Emergency Order, they would have to make an application no later than March 1, 2021.
“The March 1 deadline gives the City time to coordinate with the restaurants to maintain public safety during the pandemic so that outdoor dining can begin by the first weekend in April,” says City Manager Sharon Lynn.
City staff will be establishing how much distance is needed for pedestrians to be able to walk around the dining areas and avoid traffic at the same time. They also will be determining how many barriers each restaurant can be allotted. Much like last year and following the Governor’s State of Emergency Order, the City is implementing the use of a public outdoor space operating plan similar to the one that was in effect until November 1, 2020.
Retail businesses that place racks outside of their stores can have them up to three feet from the side of the building. If the businesses require racks that extend any farther than three feet from the building must also apply for an outdoor seating application.
