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March 26, 2021

State House unanimously approves outdoor dining expansion

Outdoor dining area at the Wood-n-Tap restaurant in Newington, 3375 Berlin Turnpike. Photo | Hartford Restaurant Group Outdoor dining area at the Wood-n-Tap restaurant in Newington, 3375 Berlin Turnpike.
By Sean Teehan

Gov. Ned Lamont and representatives of Connecticut's restaurant industry are touting legislation passed by the state House of Representatives that would expand outdoor dining allowances through April, 2022.

The House approved the measure in a 141-0 vote. It relaxes outdoor dining restrictions, and allows municipalities to quickly change their zoning codes to allow for outdoor dining and retail business. The measure will now go to the state Senate for a vote.

“These relaxed rules could be the start of a new Connecticut tradition that increases activity in our towns," Lamont said.

In a statement, Connecticut Restaurant Association Executive Director Scott Dolch said the bill is a positive step for the hard-hit restaurant industry. He encouraged the state Senate to pass the bill.

"We hope that the Senate will now move quickly, helping give local restaurants some much-needed assurance that they’ll be able to continue offering outdoor dining as they recover from this pandemic," Dolch said.

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