PASCO COUNTY, FL  ----  Pasco County Code Enforcement is reminding restaurant owners of the Outdoor Dog Dining ordinance, and that failure to comply can cost them.  Despite the popularity of allowing patrons to dine with their dogs, only a handful of local restaurants are in compliance with the 2017 ordinance.

“While the Outdoor Dog Dining ordinance gives restaurants the flexibility to provide designated, dog-friendly seating areas, compliance is key,” said Development Services Assistant County Administrator Don Rosenthal.  “These rules help foster a safe and sanitary experience for all guests.”

Restaurants without a permit in violation of the ordinance could receive a $500 per-instance fine for a dog on the property.  Some requirements of the Outdoor Dog Dining ordinance include:

• Restaurants must provide separate access for dogs from the outdoors
• There must be waterless hand sanitizer at every table
• Dogs cannot be on the furniture
• The establishment owner can have selected hours and days that the dogs are welcome
• The establishment owner must clearly identify the dog dining area

Interested restaurant owners can apply for a Dog Dining Permit through Pasco County Central Permitting.

The application is available online at: bit.ly/DogDiningApp.  There is a one-time $50 fee, and applications must be submitted in person at 8731 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey.

Be sure to check out the live Central Permitting Wait Times feature on the MyPasco App or the website to help plan your visit.