Mayor Mamdani signed a new law on Monday that permits year-round outdoor dining for restaurants and cafes with existing permits, marking the first legislative action of his administration. The mayor held the ceremonial signing outside City Hall, which was temporarily transformed to resemble a restaurant setting complete with checkered tablecloths, salt-and-pepper shakers, and a chalkboard sign reading “today’s specials: year-round outdoor dining.”

During a public testimony earlier in the day in City Hall’s blue room, Mamdani emphasized the importance of outdoor dining as a vital support for small businesses during challenging times. “Outdoor dining is more than a table and chairs in the street,” he said. “It is what allowed so many small businesses to survive a time of desolation, and another opportunity for our city’s entrepreneurs to show off their unparalleled creativity.”

The new legislation reverses a policy implemented three years ago that required restaurants to dismantle and store costly sidewalk sheds each year between November 30 and March 31. Under the updated rules, establishments with outdoor dining permits can now keep these structures in place throughout the entire year.

However, the package of bills includes a new restriction requiring outdoor dining venues to close by 11 p.m. during the winter months, a reduction from the previous cutoff time of 1 a.m. The change aims to address concerns related to noise and public safety during the colder season.

The move to extend outdoor dining into the winter months follows a trend among several cities seeking to support local businesses while balancing residents’ quality of life. The mayor’s approach combines efforts to foster economic activity with measures intended to mitigate potential disruptions associated with late-night operations.