The Metro Nashville City Council voted on an ordinance that would allow for sidewalk cafes to remain permanent on Tuesday.
On its second reading, BL2022-1405 “amends Section 13.32.165 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws to permanently extend the provisions for county-wide sidewalk cafes.”
The ordinance is sponsored by Councilmember Sean Parker (District 5) and Councilmember-At-Large Burkley Allen. This piece of legislation was referred to the Government Operations & Regulations Committee after passing its first reading during the city council’s August meeting.
According to Section 13.32.165 of the Metropolitan Code of Laws, “sidewalk cafe dining facilities are authorized to be located within the public right-of-way in that area of downtown Nashville.”
Those who wish to maintain a sidewalk cafe dining facility must obtain a permit, that must be renewed annually, from the metropolitan government. Those who fail to obtain a permit “shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be fined and each day that such violation continues to occur shall be deemed a separate offense.” The cost of applying for a permit is $100.
According to the Metropolitan Code of Laws, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages other than beer at sidewalk cafe locations is prohibited. Food preparation on the public right-of-way is also prohibited.
Additionally, the area surrounding sidewalk cafe dining locations must be kept completely free of debris, trash or litter of any type. A minimum of four feet of sidewalk must be left clear for pedestrian traffic and placement must not obstruct ingress or egress from vehicles parked at the curb, the Metropolitan Code of Laws states.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Sidewalk Cafe” by Hatice Baran.
