The City of Ripon's Sidewalk Dining ordinance begins Thursday.

Businesses will be required to take out a permit in order to extend their operations on to the sidewalk.

With the Ripon City Council adoption of amendments to the "Sidewalk Dining on Public Walkways," Planning Director Ken Zuidervaart said in his report at Tuesday's meeting that the need for "Sidewalk Dining Permits"  was a necessary addition to the Planning Fee Schedule.

The cost for the permit is estimated at $270.

"The added fee time (for staff) to process the application fee will be similar to that of the Sidewalk Vendor Permit," Zuidervaart added.

From there, all sidewalk dining permits will be valid for one calendar year, expiring on Dec. 31 of the year in which the permits were issued.

Zuidervaart  noted that the sidewalk dining permit will have a $75 renewal fee, with the business operating the dining area also needing to comply in good faith with the rules and regulations set forth in the City ordinance.

Elected leaders recently rescinded an ordinance regarding outdoor dining within a public right-of-way while approving the amendments on sidewalk dining on public walkways.

During the past year, businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic were allowed to operate outdoors under temporary waivers based on certain requirements of the Ripon Municipal Code.