Dogs On Restaurant Patios

The act authorizes a retail food establishment to allow a person to bring a pet dog to an outdoor dining area if:

• The retail food establishment elects to allow pet dogs in its outdoor dining area, has a separate entrance to the area through which pet dogs may enter and exit without passing through the retail food establishment, does not use the are for food or drink preparation, and complies with any other control measures approved by the county or district public health agency;
• The person who brings a pet dog to the outdoor dining area does not allow the pet dog on chairs, benches, seats, or other furniture or fixtures and maintains control of the pet dog, including leashing the pet dog or confining the pet dog in a pet carrier; and
• The retail food establishment licensee ensures compliance with local ordinances related to sidewalks, public nuisances, and sanitation.

A person who brings a pet dog in an outdoor dining area is responsible for the behavior of that pet dog.

Local governing bodies may prohibit the presence of pet dogs for all retail food establishments within the governing body's jurisdiction.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)