PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Greenwich Announces Summer-Long Town-Wide Sidewalk Sales
Dear Valued Greenwich Business,
We recognize the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has caused your business, we want you to know that we want to help you succeed, and to that end we have created two options for your business.
First, restaurants have the option for temporary outdoor dining. To date, more than 30 Greenwich restaurants have received approval to operate outdoor dining areas. If you are interested pursuing this option, please visit:
https://www.greenwichct.gov/428/Planning-Zoning
Second, the Chief of Police under Municipal Code of the Town of Greenwich, Section 3-18.2 – Annual Sidewalk Sales Days has approved Town-wide Sidewalk Sales Days, effective immediately and extended through September 7, 2020, unless emergent circumstances or new government orders occur.
Annual Sidewalk Sales Days allow for “persons regularly conducting business in a building shall not be required to obtain a vendor’s permit under this Article to vend on a sidewalk adjoining that building.” These conditions are designed to allow businesses to operate more freely while complying with current social distancing guidelines.
The following rules must be followed at minimum:
Earnest effort must be made to be mindful of pedestrians and maintain footpath lane of 5 feet on the sidewalks.
The tables displaying merchandise and other promotional equipment will not unduly impede or endanger either pedestrian or vehicular traffic and must not be set up within parking spaces.
Fire hydrants must remain accessible and driveways may not be blocked.
Building egress may not be blocked by tables, racks, tents, or any other items.
The clothing racks/tables will be positioned parallel to buildings and not perpendicular which causes them to protrude into the walkway.
Extension cords, if used, must be properly installed to avoid trip hazards.
All tents must be properly weighted down, provide proper clearance for pedestrians to enter/occupy them, and be properly lit should they be left up after sale hours. Tents over 400 square feet require a permit approved by the Fire Marshal (unless the tent is open on all 4 sides, in which case is can be as large as 700 square feet without a permit); lighting requires a permit from DPW’s Building Inspection Division. Tents may not be tied to and/or obstruct fire hydrants, Fire Department sprinkler connections on the building, or block exit doors. Tents may not be erected within any portion of parking spaces. Tents must be promptly removed if ordered by the Fire Marshal at any time due to inclement weather or other safety considerations.
Only bona fide Greenwich businesses will participate and will display wares only in front of their own establishments.
All business participating in this event will abide by all federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, and executive orders.
By close of business on September 8, 2020, all sale items, tents, tables and promotional materials must be removed from the sidewalk.
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Community Information Officer at selectmenoffice@greenwichct.org.
These are challenging times, but together, we can safely have a successful summer.
Stay safe and healthy,
Fred Camillo James J. Heavey
First Selectman Chief of Police