To further support economic recovery efforts for restaurants during the temporary occupancy limitations currently in place as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, East Lansing City Council has approved Policy Resolution 2020-4 (PDF). The policy resolution streamlines the approval process and temporarily eliminates fees for businesses that wish to temporarily expand their existing seating capacity into adjacent outdoor areas, including public and private property, and temporarily modifies elements of Policy Resolution 2014-5 (PDF). Adjoining property for expansion can include any private plaza, parking lot or other outdoor area and/or public sidewalk/right-of-way.
View the Temporary Expansion of Outdoor Seating for Restaurants webpage to learn more.