Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Governor of the State of New Mexico and the Mayor of the City of Santa Fe issued emergency orders limiting the operations of local restaurants. In support of the continued economic viability of these local restaurants and to allow more effective social distancing, the City and State took certain actions to allow more flexible restaurant operations outdoors.

In particular, the State extended temporary expansions to licensees’ permitted outdoor service areas through October 31, 2021. To facilitate the City’s restaurants’ ability to take advantage of this expanded service areas, the City issued short-term obstruction permits for the use of small areas of City streets, parking spaces and sidewalks, or “parklets,” as outdoor dining areas. In addition, the City’s Governing Body amended the local ordinance that restricted the sale of alcohol on City properties, allowing sales of alcohol without a lease through October 31, 2021.

On Tuesday of this week, the Director of New Mexico Alcohol Beverage Control (ABC) issued a six-month extension of licensees’ temporary outdoor patio expansions to April 30, 2022. As a result of the State’s extension, Mayor Webber introduced a resolution last night to allow for extended alcohol service in parklets. This extension will also allow impacted businesses the opportunity to seek longer-term lease agreements with the City, if desired.

The parklets located on Lincoln Street along the Plaza are not eligible for lease agreements at this time because the street is scheduled to reopen to traffic on or around November 1, 2021, and will remain open through Memorial Day weekend in 2022. Lease agreements including parts of the street may be possible when the street closes again.

Applications for continued or new use of an expanded footprint for any service of alcohol must be made to the State’s Alcohol Beverage Control Division

Contact Terry Lease, Asset Development Manager for any further details: tjlease@santafenm.gov