Skip to main content
File #: O-7-26    Version: 1 Name:
Type: Ordinance Status: Agenda Ready
File created: 3/11/2026 In control: City Council
On agenda: 3/23/2026 Final action:
Title: Eliminating the Requirement for Outdoor Dining Patrons to be Seated For the purpose of removing requirements that outdoor dining patrons must be seated to be served alcoholic beverages, and generally related to outdoor dining regulations.
Sponsors: Brooks Schandelmeier, Rob Savidge, Karma O'Neill, Harry Huntley
Indexes: Economic Matters Committee
Attachments: 1. O-7-26 First Reader, 2. O-7-26 Legislative Summary
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
No records to display.

title

Eliminating the Requirement for Outdoor Dining Patrons to be Seated

For the purpose of removing requirements that outdoor dining patrons must be seated to be served alcoholic beverages, and generally related to outdoor dining regulations.

body

City Council of the

City of Annapolis

Ordinance 7-26

Introduced by: Alderman Schandelmeier

Co-sponsored by:  Alderman Huntley, Alderwoman O’Neill, Alderman Savidge

 

Referred to: Economic Matters Committee

 

AN ORDINANCE concerning

Eliminating the Requirement for Outdoor Dining Patrons to be Seated

FOR                     the purpose of removing requirements that outdoor dining patrons must be seated to be served alcoholic beverages, and generally related to outdoor dining regulations.

 

BY                     repealing and reenacting with amendments the following portions of the Code of the City of Annapolis, 2026 Edition:

                     Section 7.35.020

                     Section 7.35.030

 

SECTION I:                     BE IT ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that the Code of the City of Annapolis shall be amended to read as follows:

City Code Title 7 - BUSINESS LICENSES, TAXES AND REGULATIONS

Chapter 7.35 - Outdoor Dining

 

Section 7.35.020 - Definitions.

 

2.                     "Dining" means food and beverages consumed while seated at a table.

3.                     "Outdoor dining" refers to the practice of having a meal at a restaurant that offers indoor seating but also serves and allows patrons to consume food and drinks at outdoor tables or other designated areas such as patios, courtyards, plazas, decks, rooftops, sidewalks, streets, and parking lots.

"Outdoor dining" refers to the practice of consuming food and drinks at a restaurant that offers indoor seating but also serves and allows patrons to consume food, drinks, or both at outdoor tables or other designated areas such as sidewalks, walkways, off-street parking, parking lots, patios, courtyards, plazas, or other suitable areas.

 

Section 7.35.030 - General requirements.

 

C.                     Outdoor Dining Standards.

4.                     Alcoholic Beverages.

a.                     The restaurant shall not sell, serve or allow consumption of alcoholic beverages in the outdoor dining areas without first obtaining a modification to its approved Alcohol Beverage Control Board license to cover any expanded outdoor dining areas.

b.                     The ability to serve alcohol outdoors is restricted based on the types of liquor license the serving business has been permitted.

c.                     Alcoholic beverages and food shall be served only to patrons seated at tables.

Alcoholic beverages, food, or both may be served to patrons at outdoor tables or in designated standing areas within the licensed outdoor dining footprint.

 

SECTION II: AND BE IT FINALLY ESTABLISHED AND ORDAINED BY THE ANNAPOLIS CITY COUNCIL that this ordinance shall take effect upon passage.