15 Nov Outdoor dining in the colder months: What you need to know

The Commerce Department has made some changes, especially pertaining to heating, so please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these new changes.

Heating:

Heaters powered by electricity, propane, or natural gas are authorized in outdoor dining areas only if they are manufactured for outdoor use, installed safely, and at least three (electric) or five (propane, natural gas) feet from combustible materials. New electrical connections require an electrical permit.

Propane can only be used on the sidewalk and is not allowed to be used in the street or parking lane.

When not in use, propane heaters cannot be stored in the street, parking lane, sidewalk, against a building, or within five feet of buildings and building openings, canopies, tents, umbrellas, and anything else that can catch on fire. Propane cannot be stored indoors.

Fire pits and other fires produced by burning solid fuels are prohibited entirely in the right of way. They cannot be used near or under tents or other shelters. Such fires may be permissible on private property only if they are in safe, approved containers at least 15 feet from any type of structure. Kerosene fires are prohibited in all outdoor dining areas.

Click HERE for the entire update.