Annapolis City Council expands outdoor dining, allows restaurants to lease parking spaces

Al fresco dining will expand in Annapolis this weekend thanks to a fast-tracked ordinance that allows restaurants to lease city-owned parking spaces. City Council approved the leasing procedures at a meeting Monday night after a lengthy and at times heated discussion. The new ordinance, O-16-22, restores privileges that many restaurants enjoyed during the pandemic for free. Businesses now will be required to reimburse the city for lost parking revenue, pay a facility surcharge and comply with various other approval measures.