Fans of outdoor dining have reason to rejoice. Today the Bloomberg Administration OK'd a new rule allowing restaurants with properly licensed outdoor eating areas to install heat lamps with minimal legal hassles.
Sidewalk dining has grown increasingly popular in the past decade. This year there are approximately 900 legally operating sidewalk cafes, according to the City, which represents a 25% increase in just four years.
The new rule approved today creates a simple process for licensed restaurants to gain Fire Department and Department of Buildings approval for the addition of gas heaters and their accompanying hardware. The City promises that, assuming paperwork is in order, restaurants will be able to complete the application process in no more than 18 days.