City To Allow Temporary Expanded Outdoor Dining For Restaurants

TUSCALOOSA, AL. — The city of Tuscaloosa on Tuesday announced the creation of a special permitting process that will allow the city's restaurants to temporarily expand their outdoor dining areas in an effort to boost patronage in a safe and creative manner amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A release from Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox's office says the Temporary Expanded Dining Program will give local restaurants the ability to increase dining capacity into public or privately-owned outdoor spaces, such as parking areas, while also adhering to the Alabama Department of Public Health’s social distancing requirements.

For eligible restaurants, the mayor said, the changes may also include an expanded alcohol-licensed premise.

However, businesses with only an Alabama ABC lounge license are not eligible for this program, the mayor's office said.

The application window for the special permit opens on Wednesday, Sept. 23.

The city says approved restaurants will be issued a temporary permit valid from Oct. 1 until Dec. 13, 2020, unless restaurant occupancy restrictions are removed or the program is canceled before the set end date.

Restaurant owners interested in learning more can click here to access the full policy and application.