DeLand approves permitting process to allow dogs in outside areas of city restaurants

DELAND, Fla. — Dining out with your dog in Deland will now be legal after City Commissioners approved a measure that will allow residents to bring their dogs to outside areas at restaurants.

While many restaurants in Deland would already be considered dog-friendly, the new measure, approved on February 6, brings the city in line with state law.

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The Dixie Cup Clary Local Control Act, approved by the state legislature in 2006, allowed cities and counties to legalize dogs at restaurants. Without the local exemption, dogs dining in outside areas is not considered legal per state statute.

“DeLand is a dog-friendly community, even celebrating them with the annual Mardi Gras Dog Parade,” said Deland Mayor Chris Cloudman. “When we learned that local restaurants were being subjected to violations from the state for allowing canine companions, we were happy to enact a local ordinance to opt into a state provision that allows the practice to continue.”

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Businesses can apply at no cost to opt into the city’s dog dining license and must adhere to sanitation protocols set forth by the provision of the Dixie Cup Clary Local Control Act.

The license will automatically renew annually unless otherwise requested by the restaurant, according to a news release from the city.

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For more information on the permitting, CLICK HERE.

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