Wash. Admin. Code § 314-03-200 - Outside or extended alcohol service

A licensee must request approval from the board's licensing division for ongoing outside or extended alcohol service. Except as provided in the temporary rules for outdoor alcohol service in WAC 314-03-205 that are effective until July 1, 2023, unless extended by law, the following conditions must be met:

(1) The area must be enclosed with a permanent or movable barrier a minimum of 42 inches in height.

(2) There must be an interior access to the licensed premises. If the interior access is from a minor restricted area of the premises, minors are prohibited in the outside or extended alcohol service area.

(3) There must be an attendant, wait staff, or server dedicated to the outside service area when patrons are present.

(4) Must have leasehold rights to the area and have and be connected to the licensed premises.

(5) Openings into and out of the outside area cannot exceed 10 feet. If there is more than one opening along one side, the total combined opening may not exceed 10 feet.

(6) Exception. For sidewalk cafe outside service, the board allows local regulations that, in conjunction with a local sidewalk cafe permit, requires a 42 inch barrier or permanent demarcation of the designated alcohol service areas for continued enforcement of the boundaries.

(a) The permanent demarcation must be at all boundaries of the outside service area;

(b) The permanent demarcation must be at least six inches in diameter;

(c) The permanent demarcation must be placed no more than 10 feet apart;

(d) There must be an attendant, wait staff, or server dedicated to the outside service area when patrons are present;

(e) This exception only applies to restaurant liquor licenses with sidewalk cafe service areas contiguous to the liquor licensed premises. "Contiguous" means touching along a boundary or at a point;

(f) This exception does not apply to beer gardens, standing room only venues, and permitted special events. Board approval is still required with respect to sidewalk cafe barrier requirements.

(7) Limited exception. The board may grant limited exceptions to the required 42 inch high barrier for outside alcohol service areas.

(a) The licensee must have exclusive leasehold rights to the outside service area.

(b) There must be permanent demarcations at all boundaries of the outside service area for continued enforcement of the boundaries.

Notes

Wash. Admin. Code § 314-03-200

Adopted by WSR 17-12-030, Filed 5/31/2017, effective 7/1/2017 Amended by WSR 20-03-180, Filed 1/22/2020, effective 2/22/2020 Amended by WSR 22-01-052, Filed 12/8/2021, effective 1/8/2022