1-16-2: PURPOSE:

The City desires to assist businesses licensed to sell alcohol by the drink through the difficulty of having their establishments closed pursuant to citywide emergency health orders based on the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants and bars have been particularly hard struck throughout this pandemic by state and local emergency orders, which have either closed the inside of their retail establishments from patrons or significantly reduced the number of patrons allowed within their premises. Consequently, many of these businesses have suffered devastating economic losses and have been forced to lay-off employees.

To provide some relief to these businesses, the City shall temporarily suspend certain provisions of Boise City Code Title 3, Chapter 4, (Sidewalk Cafes) pertaining to permit and licensing requirements. This emergency chapter also temporarily amends certain provisions of Title 3, Chapter 3, (Alcoholic Beverages), Title, 3, Chapter 4, (Sidewalk Cafes), restricting the renewal of sidewalk cafe permits and alcoholic beverage licenses from including temporary expansions or permissions granted in accordance with this chapter. Lastly, this chapter shall temporarily amend Boise City Code section 5-2-10, to permit certain businesses to transport open containers of alcohol from their licensed premises to their temporary, non-abutting sidewalk cafe spaces across sidewalks or other public places. (Ord. 23-20, 7-30-2020)