Ocoee’s Helping their Restaurants Reopen                              

Ocoee, FL   We want to assist our restaurants in reopening. As part of the Governors Executive Order 20-112, Phase 1 Business Reopening Plan, the City of Ocoee has relaxed regulations to encourage outdoor seating. Whereas a permit is required to ensure safety requirements are being met, the City will not be charging for the permit. Outside seating will be allowed for a period of 30 days or until full seating is allowed by the State of Florida. The following outlines the Ocoee Restaurant Outdoor Dining program.

  • Restaurants may utilize outdoor space, owned or leased by the Restaurant Operator such as parking areas, to provide for outdoor seating.
  • For restaurants operating at 25% indoor capacity that also wish to offer outdoor seating in a commercial strip center, the City shall not require additional parking.
  • If additional outdoor dining space is located within a parking area, a temporary physical barrier must be placed separating the dining from the remaining parking.
  • Must comply with all applicable Fire District regulations.
  • Must comply with all Florida Health Department regulations.
  • Must not negatively impact ingress/egress to the building or property.
  • A permit shall be required for all outdoor seating and Restaurant Operators shall apply for a permit from the City to erect a tent to provide customers with outdoor seating options; however, the City will waive the cost of the permit for outdoor seating and/or erecting such tent.
  • All regulations or criteria established by City staff for erecting and maintain such outdoor tents shall at all times be complied with by the Restaurant and Restaurant Operator.
  • Social distancing and all other COVID-19 safety requirements imposed by federal, state, or local authorities apply with regard to indoor and outdoor seating capability of Restaurants.
  • If a restaurant is not the property owner, then it must obtain written permission from the landlord prior to installation.
  • Regulations pertaining to outdoor entertainment are not affected by this Order.
  • All temporary outdoor dining areas must be maintained clean of litter.
  • Upon acceptance of such a permit, Restaurant Operator acknowledges and agrees that said permit may be revoked by the City at any time.

If you have any questions please email them to  inspections@ocoee.org or if you would like assistance is reviewing your outdoor dining needs, call 407-905-3104 to set an appointment.  All forms and documents can be found at: https://www.ocoee.org/177/Building-Applications-Forms. If you require assistance please contact us at 407-905-3104.  Visit us at www.ocoee.org.