Las Cruces to issue permits for restaurateurs who want to create an outdoor dining area

LAS CRUCES — The City of Las Cruces announced late Monday afternoon that it would be issuing temporary permits for restaurants to create outdoor dining venues for a maximum of 180 days, in response to last week's amended health order that closed dine-in services for restaurants.

The permits will be issued online for no fee and will be processed by the Community Development Department. 

For restaurants considering creating an outdoor dining area in city limits, they must comply with the state's public health order and comply with the COVID-Safe practices for restaurants section. 

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Tables are to be six feet apart, no more than six patrons are permitted to sit at one table and outdoor tent occupancy must be limited to 50 percent maximum occupancy limit. 

If restaurants that have outdoor dining tents of more than 700 square feet, construction plans are required for new construction of a permitted outdoor dining space, alterations to an existing structure or electrical or plumbing require trade permits. Applicants must apply for a permit. 

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All permitted outdoor dining spaces will be inspected by the Las Cruces Fire Department and or trade inspectors prior to use and it is required that outdoor dining areas do not impede emergency vehicle access to the property and do not impede right-of-way areas (including fire lanes, openings to parking lots and ADA parking spaces). 

For information on obtaining a permit for outdoor dining, call the Community Development Department at 575-528-3059.

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