Outdoor Dining & Outdoor Retail

All restaurants and retailers seeking to reopen must self-certify and commit to comply with the Sector Rules established to keep their employees and customers safe.

• The State of Connecticut has created on online self-certification portal available here.
   
• Reopen Connecticut Sector Rules for Restaurants (Outdoor Dining Only) are available here.
   
• Reopen Connecticut Sector Rules for Retail are available here.
   
• Executive Order 7 MM was issued to simplify and create an expedited municipal approval process for expanded outdoor dining and retail activities.   Executive Order 9K signed on November 5, 2020, extends these provisions until February 9, 2021

The Special Application applies to all new or expanded outdoor dining and outdoor retail as defined in Executive Order No. 7MM. In addition, a separate Health District Application is required for new or expanded outdoor dining. Approval authorized by this Special Application shall be valid as long as the Executive Order remains in effect and supersedes any existing outdoor dining permit approvals from the Town of West Hartford. There is fee associated with this special application.

Restaurants with existing outdoor dining permits may operate under those permits provided that there is no expansion of either seat count or dining area, and operation is in full compliance with the REOPEN Connecticut Sector Rules for Restaurants (Outdoor Dining Only). However, if any alterations to kitchen or food prep areas are made, a separate review by the Health District will be required.

 Click here for Special Application 

The Special Application review will be conducted by the Town’s Local Enforcement Officials, including the Director of Health, Director of Public Works, Chief Building Official, Fire Marshal, and Zoning Enforcement Officer.

Applications will be reviewed and approved in 10 days or less after a complete application is received.

You may also print and complete the application for West Hartford - Bloomfield Health District permit application here. Completed Health District Applications should be emailed to Chris Hansen. For questions regarding the Health District application review process, please contact Chris Hansen via email at Christopher.Hansen@WestHartfordCT.gov. 

For questions or help with the permitting process, please contact Brian Pudlik, Zoning Enforcement Officer by email at Brian.Pudlik@westhartfordct.gov.

The Town of West Hartford wants to support your business during the winter months so that you can continue to serve your customers during colder weather. Restaurants that have existing, previously approved (pre COVID-19) outdoor dining areas may request to have those spaces covered and heated by submitting the form available at the link below to Zoning Enforcement Officer Brian Pudlik at brian.pudlik@westhartfordct.gov.

Staff from Building Inspection, Fire Department and Zoning will visit your property and discuss the layout and permitting requirements with you. You will have the ability to fully enclose your outdoor dining area with a temporary structure. It is important to note that by doing so, these spaces will be considered indoor dining under the Reopen Connecticut Sector Rules for Restaurants. Covering and heating your outdoor dining space would expand your restaurant’s available indoor seating areas while still maintaining the required distancing between tables and staying under the 75 percent capacity threshold.                          

 Click here for Tent request Form