This bill aims to permanently allow the use of tents and other fixtures for outdoor dining by restaurants, bars, distilleries, and breweries on their own or adjacent properties, as well as on public sidewalks. It defines "outdoor space" to include various areas such as patios, decks, yards, and parking lots, and establishes that these spaces can be utilized as extensions of business premises for the sale of food and beverages, including alcoholic beverages. To use these outdoor spaces, business owners must submit an application to the municipal zoning officer, which includes detailed plans for the setup and litter control. The bill also stipulates that the use of tents, canopies, and other fixtures is permitted from April 1 to December 1 each year, provided they comply with state construction and fire safety codes.

Additionally, the bill outlines the conditions under which municipalities can regulate outdoor dining, including maintaining pedestrian pathways on public sidewalks and the ability to suspend outdoor dining during emergencies. It clarifies that existing municipal ordinances related to sanitation, noise, and hours of operation still apply unless specifically modified. The bill is set to take effect immediately or upon the expiration of certain provisions of a previous law enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby making some of the temporary measures permanent.