Substitute House Bill No. 5271 Summary

• Extends the temporary authorization for outdoor food and beverage services and outdoor displays of goods from March 31, 2022 to April 30, 2023, with streamlined permit applications to local enforcement officials at no fee.

• Eliminates the requirement for detailed plans (engineer stamps, site surveys, parking plans, traffic studies, lighting plans, stormwater management plans) during the temporary period, requiring only basic drawings and written impact narratives.

• Mandates local enforcement officials approve, approve with conditions, or reject outdoor activity applications within 10 days of receipt; failure to respond constitutes automatic approval.

• Allows outdoor activities on public sidewalks (minimum 4 feet wide), parking lots, adjacent properties with owner authorization, and adjacent non-contiguous lots until 9 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends (or later per municipality).

• Establishes permanent authorization (effective May 1, 2023) for food establishments to operate outdoor dining as an accessory use of right, subject only to administrative site plan review, while maintaining compliance with accessibility guidelines and other applicable regulations.