Business & Tech

Another City Joins Dunedin in Offering Dog-Friendly Dining

Largo is soon joining Dunedin and St. Petersburg on the list of cities in Pinellas offering an outdoor doggie dining option for restaurants and bars.

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Largo is soon joining Dunedin and St. Petersburg on the list of cities in Pinellas offering an outdoor doggie dining option for restaurants and bars.

Largo city commissioners gave preliminary approval last week for an ordinance that would allow its restaurant owners the option to offer outdoor doggie dining. 

Dunedin city leaders passed a similar ordinance in early 2011. It offers Dunedin restaurant and bar owners the option to offer doggie-friendly dining in outdoor areas if they follow certain state regulations and register with the city for a $75-a-year fee. 

Under the state regulations, dogs may only be outside, they must wear leashes with a six-foot maximum length, and be seated on the ground (not on tables and chairs). Restaurants are required to have certain signage and provide hand sanitizer at each table in the designated dog-friendly areas. Employees must wash their hands after petting any dog.

Largo restaurants would be subject to the same state regulations, but the city is setting a one-time permitting and inspection fee at $41. Largo leaders are expected to pass the ordinance on Aug. 6.

In Dunedin, the following restaurants are confirmed to have outdoor doggie dining permits on record with the city (see attached map):

Last year, an anonymous complaint concerning dogs inside Rosie's Tavern in Dunedin, a favorite longtime pet-friendly bar that does not serve food, spurred a controversial crackdown on local food service establishments allowing dog dining without a permit. It was discovered at that time that many bars were allowing dogs inside under the technicality that they did not have food service. But ice — served in the beverages — qualifies bars as a food service establishment, according to the state. Thus, much to the dismay of residents, pets were kicked outside of many longtime, established pet-friendly bars.

Any Dunedin business with an outdoor dining area can apply for a dog dining permit. To apply, contact the Planning and Development Department.

The city's full ordinance is outlined here.

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