East Providence City Council approves outdoor dining ordinance

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — The East Providence City Council authorized changing an ordinance proposed by Mayor Bob DaSilva to allow more outdoor dining opportunities at restaurants.

The council said the changes would allow up to 20 outdoor seats that would not require additional parking spaces to be added, as well as preventing zoning changes for establishments that have outdoor dining that does not change the physical footprint of their buildings.

Restaurants that add outdoor dining seating must submit for review by city departments, must provide vehicle crash protection, and will be limited from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“These changes to our city ordinance further my administration’s goal to help our struggling businesses that have and continue to be negatively impacted by the closure of the westbound portion of the Washington Bridge,” DaSilva said.