A new Senate Bill gives food establishments the ability to allow dogs in their outside dining areas as long as certain conditions are met.
Due to the new bill, the San Marcos City Council repealed section 18.120 of the San Marcos Code of Ordinance during their meeting Monday, which established a variance process to allow dogs in outside areas of restaurants.
“San Marcos has a very pet-friendly atmosphere and it’s great that the new state law allows pet owners across Texas to dine with their loyal four-legged friends without a separate local ordinance being enacted,” Stacy Wright, Environmental Health Manager said in a press release. “This should be good news to both food establishments with outdoor dining areas and pet owners who frequent those businesses.”
In order for a business to be compliant with the new state law, they must meet the following requirements:
- A sign must be posted in a conspicuous location in the outside dining area stating that dogs are permitted;
- The customer and the dog access the outside dining area directly from the exterior of the establishment;
- The dog does not enter the interior of the establishment;
- The customer keeps the dog on a leash and controls the dog;
- The customer does not allow the dog on a seat, table, countertop, or similar surface; and
- In the outside dining area where dogs are permitted, the establishment does not prepare food or permit open food other than the food being served to the customer.
The new state law requirements are available on the city's website. If an individual has any questions about the new bill, they may contact the City of San Marcos Environmental Health Division at 512-393-8444 or [email protected].
