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Township of Ridley, PA
Delaware County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Ridley 4-23-2003 by Ord. No. 1838. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Zoning — See Ch. 325.
The outdoor cafe regulations as set forth in this chapter are designed to permit those cafes in areas that they are appropriate and promote and protect the public health, safety and general welfare. Specific purposes of this legislation are:
A. 
To preserve and enhance the character of neighborhoods through the Township and to protect the adjacent residential areas.
B. 
To simplify administrative and strengthen enforcement procedures for outdoor cafes that are effective, efficient and enforceable.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
OUTDOOR CAFE
Those exterior facilities adjacent to and part of the establishments selling food and/or drink, entirely located on private property, open to the elements except for a roof or awning and a wall, railing or fence not exceeding 48 inches in height, such as commercial decks and patios. Included in this definition is a seasonal conversion of an enclosed structure by means of removal of walls and/or windows so as to render the facility open to the elements in excess of 50% of the square foot area of all vertical sides of the enclosed structure not abutting the main building of the establishment.
[Amended 12-17-2003 by Ord. No. 1847]
A. 
No outdoor cafe shall be allowed to operate at any outdoor area unless a permit has been obtained from the Zoning Officer.
B. 
Any request for the use of such an area for such purposes shall be made in writing to the Zoning Office in the form of a permit application.
A. 
Any request or application for a permit to operate an outdoor cafe shall be made in the Zoning Office, in writing, on the application form provided by the Zoning Officer.
B. 
The request/application may, in the Zoning Officer's discretion, contain the following information:
(1) 
Name, address and telephone number of the applicant;
(2) 
Name, address and telephone number of the restaurant to be the subject of the application;
(3) 
The days and hours for which the permit is requested;
(4) 
If alcoholic beverages are to be served, proof that the applicant has received permission from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board for an extension of the retail license to cover additional premises;
(5) 
Three sets of a proposed layout plan prepared by a registered engineer containing scale drawings clearly illustrating the number, types of material, color and location of all tables, chairs, umbrellas and other furnishings or fixtures intended to be located in the outdoor cafe. Scale drawings shall also illustrate the following;
(a) 
The location of any doors leading from the eating establishment to the outdoor cafe. Such doors may not be obstructed in any manner.
(b) 
The location of the place where any food or drink is intended to be prepared.
(c) 
Type and location of any proposed outdoor lighting fixtures.
(d) 
No outdoor cooking of any type is permitted.
If the application complies with this chapter, the Zoning Officer shall issue a permit strictly subject to the terms and conditions of this chapter.
The permit is personal to the applicant and any change or transfer of ownership of the outdoor cafe shall terminate the permit and shall require a new application and new permit in conformance with all the requirements of this chapter.
Acceptance of the permit by the applicant shall operate as a consent to the health, fire, police and building officials of the Township to inspect the outdoor cafe for continued compliance with the terms and conditions of this chapter and any federal, state, county or local law, ordinance or regulation affecting the same.
Any permit issued hereunder is issued solely as a revocable permit which shall be subject to revocation or suspension by the Zoning Officer for failure of any permittee to comply with this chapter or for violation of any other applicable federal, state, county or municipal law, regulation or ordinance. Any permit issued hereunder is issued upon the express understanding that the permittee obtains no property right hereunder, nor any interest in the continuation of said permit.
Appeals from the denial, suspension or revocation of a permit may be taken to the Zoning Hearing Board by any aggrieved person within 30 days. Each appeal shall refer to the specific relevant provision of this chapter, explain the aggrieved person's position with respect to the determination being appealed, and state the relief requested.
It shall be unlawful for any person to operate an outdoor cafe after the suspension or termination of the applicable permit.
Each permittee is responsible for keeping the area of the outdoor cafe free and clear of any debris or litter occasioned by the cafe. Areas must be cleaned as needed and at the time the business is closed and at the beginning of each business day but not later than 9:00 a.m. each day.
All outdoor cafe permits shall be issued for the six-month period commencing May 1 and ending October 31 of a particular year. Permits may be renewed annually by the filing of an application in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. The annual permit fee shall be $100.
An outdoor cafe authorized and operating pursuant to this chapter shall comply with all the following rules and regulations and such other as may be adopted from time to time by resolution of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Ridley:
A. 
The outdoor cafe shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the layout plan as finally approved.
B. 
No food served at such outdoor cafe shall be prepared or stored other than in the interior of the eating establishment.
[Amended 12-17-2003 by Ord. No. 1847]
C. 
No music may be played on the outdoor premises.
D. 
The outdoor cafe can be open for business between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. All patrons must vacate the outdoor cafe no later than 11:30 p.m.
E. 
Noise shall be kept at such a level as to comply in all respects with the provisions of the general Code of the Township.
For each and every violation of this chapter, the violator, upon conviction by the District Justice, shall be guilty of a summary offense and subject to a fine of not more than $1,000; and/or imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days.