City to restaurants: Outdoor dining permits no longer valid

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Story has been updated to show that the City's Community Development Department issued the permits. The Economic Development assisted in developing the program.

The City of Menifee’s Community Development Department this week notified restaurants to which it had issued temporary outdoor dining permits that those permits are now “frozen” because of the Dec. 5 stay-at-home order.

The notice also stated that outdoor use permits given to personal services such as hair and nail salons were also not valid at this time. The only exception to those who applied to the Temporary Outdoor Dining & Personal Services Permit Program are places of worship.

“Please note, restaurants may continue to offer take-out, pick-up and delivery services,” the notice stated. “This freeze will last a minimum of three weeks and is based on the Southern California region moving [below] the 15 percent ICU capacity.

“We understand the challenges our business community is facing, and the safety of our residents is paramount as we navigate through this trying time,” the notice continues. “It is our ultimate hope that our businesses can get back to doing what they love and do best, serving our community!”

The state’s stay-at-home order prohibits indoor or outdoor on-site dining at restaurants. Many restaurant owners – including some in Menifee – have announced publicly that they will not obey the order. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco announced that his department would not enforce the order. The Menifee Police Department has not made a statement on the matter, however.

“We are very proud of the work our City’s Community Development and Economic Development team was able to accomplish with the Temporary Outdoor Dining Permit Program," said Dominique Samario, the City’s public information officer, in an email to Menifee 24/7. “Menifee was the first in Southwest Riverside County to release temporary outdoor dining and personal service permits to assist businesses with the new outdoor allowance for dining and personal services at the time the guidance was released.

“We currently have 12 businesses utilizing Temporary Outdoor Dining Business Permits. Some businesses already had patios, and some who have patios may have expanded them, requiring them to get a free over-the-counter permit.

“The notice that was sent out this week was an additional way to connect with our businesses and inform them of the recent State of California orders. Our team has already visited the businesses safely in person with resources and information on hand. Some businesses were not aware of the state changes and which business uses were being impacted. This email was simply an additional way to share information.”

The City of Menifee and its police department have deferred to state and county health guidelines throughout the pandemic, and no local enforcement has previously been taken. Samario did not directly respond when asked whether there would be enforcement this time or whether the City had gone on record with a "you've been warned" attempt to avoid a possible loss of funding from the state or county.

“I think that visiting the sites and providing information is on par with what our Economic Development team has been doing throughout the ever-changing pandemic environment,” Samario said. “We want to be a support to our businesses, while doing all we can to keep our community safe.”

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