2021 Outdoor Dining and Retail Plan, Regulations, and Permits
At the Special Trustee Meeting on March 23, 2021, the Village of Rhinebeck Board of Trustees unanimously approved the draft regulations, permits, and map proposed by the Outdoor Dining Task Force for expanded outdoor dining and retail for the 2021 spring, summer, and fall seasons. Much of what was approved is similar to the changes that were made during the summer of 2020 with a few key differences. In response to feedback from Village residents, property owners, and businesses, the Board has approved to expand the "Mask Required Zones," widen the reserved sidewalk area for pedestrians walking past restaurants and retailers, and change the proposed "Jersey barrier" map for proposal to the State DOT to block off less of the south side of E. Market Street. Additionally, there has been an update to the outdoor dining permit application and creation of an outdoor retail permit application. Additional oversight and safety considerations have also been added.
As with all of our actions since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Village Board has tried to balance the safety of our population with the economic needs of our local businesses. This is not an easy balance to strike. Although we are all exhausted from the pandemic, we ask everyone -- Villagers, visitors, and business owners -- for their continued patience, kindness, and awareness of the larger picture.
The Board plans on submitting the permit application for the Jersey barrier plan to the State Department of Transportation next week.
Complete regulations can be found here.
Permitting process:
All outdoor dining permits granted in 2020 expire on May 1, 2021. New permit applications must be submitted to the Village Clerk by April 15, 2021 to be approved by April 30, 2021.
If you want to have outdoor retail, please submit this permit.
If you want to have outdoor dining, please submit this permit.
Please note:
All pedestrian thru-ways have been widened to 5 feet.
All restaurants must submit on their site plan a location for waiting patrons that is separated from the pedestrian thru-way in an obvious way.
All establishments that want to have additional signage other than a sandwich board must include their sign plan in their site plan or building permit.
All establishments that want a tent, canopy, windbreak, or anything more complicated than a patio umbrella must apply for a tent permit, even if they had one in 2020.
All establishments that want to have live music (in a tent or otherwise) must apply for and receive an event permit from the village.
Please note the safety regulations around propane and electrical patio heaters in the regulations.
If the COVID-19 state of emergency has lifted by the fall, all permits, regulations, and public outdoor seating and retail areas will terminate on November 1, 2021.
Repeated violations of the regulations can result in a business losing its outdoor permit. We hope that no business puts itself into this position.
As always, questions can be directed to the Village Clerk, Martina McClinton at mmcclinton@villageofrhinebeckny.gov
A big thank you to the Outdoor Dining Task Force for all their hard work.
Looking forward to a safe and vibrant year in our wonderful Village.
Trustee Lydia Slaby, Mayor Gary Bassett, and the Village Board of Trustees