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Commission approves temporary dining‑tent rule allowing tents up to 180 days with inspections
Summary
Planning commissioners voted unanimously to recommend a UDO change allowing temporary dining tents for up to 180 days per year, bringing such temporary uses under inspection and permitting requirements.
The Summerville Planning Commission on Jan. 27 approved a change to the Unified Development Ordinance to permit temporary dining tents for up to 180 days a year, subject to applicable inspections.
Planning staff explained the amendment was prompted by requests from local restaurants seeking temporary cover during colder months. The amendment creates a permit path for temporary uses such as dining tents and brings those uses under fire and safety inspections, staff said.
Commissioners asked whether specific businesses (staff cited Lowcountry Fish Camp as an example in discussion) would be covered; staff said restaurants would still need to meet fire inspection and other safety requirements and that bringing tents under a temporary use permit is intended to reduce ad hoc, potentially unsafe setups.
The commission voted unanimously in favor of the amendment and will forward the language to the town council for final action. Staff was directed to include inspection requirements and the 180‑day limit in the council packet.
