CT HB06610

Temporarily allows outdoor food service and goods sales from the bill's effective date through March 31, 2022, as COVID-19 pandemic economic recovery measures, with expedited zoning and permitting procedures.

Local enforcement officials must approve, approve with conditions, or reject permit applications for outdoor activities within 10 days of application receipt, with failure to respond deemed automatic approval; applicants may appeal rejections within 7 days without requiring a public hearing.

Eliminates requirement for detailed engineering plans, site surveys, parking plans, traffic studies, and other standard submissions, requiring instead only a basic scaled drawing and written narrative describing potential noise, waste, odor, light, and environmental impacts with mitigation measures.

Permits outdoor activities on public sidewalks (minimum 4-foot accessible pathway), parking lots (waiving minimum parking requirements), and adjacent lots with owner authorization, with operating hours until 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 9 p.m. other days.

Licensed alcohol service establishments do not need patio extension permits if they comply with health guidelines, serve alcohol only with food, avoid outdoor bars, and follow all state alcohol regulations and relevant pandemic safety orders.