Outdoor dining makes a comeback in downtown Saco

SACO — With warm weather on the horizon, the city will once again allow restaurants to offer sidewalk dining.

Last June, when restaurants in York County were not able to serve customers indoors under Governor Janet Mills’ reopening plan, Saco, like other area communities, passed an emergency ordinance allowing restaurants who obtained a permit from the city  to set up outdoor seating on sidewalks.

Restaurants were later allowed limited indoor seating, and Saco extended the measure to allow outdoor seating through Dec. 1, 2020 to allow restaurants to serve more customers and adhere to social distancing requirements.

On Monday, the City Council unanimously approved an extension of the emergency ordinance to grant restaurants permission for sidewalk from April 1 to Dec. 1, 2021.

Restaurants are allowed, under the temporary rules to have outdoor seating on sidewalks as long as there is three feet of unobstructed sidewalk clearance for ADA accessibility. Restaurants can also use the sidewalk in front of a neighboring business as long as they can provide proof of an agreement.

Outdoor seating must not block entrance ways or handicapped accessible parking spaces.

Restaurants can also apply to provide outdoor seating in private parking spaces and lots, with the condition that the seating area is protected from traffic by physical barriers. The city will also allow, on a case by case basis, restaurants to expand seating to public parking spaces or parking lots.

Publisher Liz Gotthelf can be reached at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.