The Neighborhoods Committee voted to approve bill 20250866, an ordinance that authorizes designated outdoor dining areas to permit dogs, after adopting amendments to clarify signage requirements.

Councilwoman Clark Murray urged adding explicit language on sign size so patrons know in advance that dogs may be present. She asked that the planning department be given authority to require legible signage; as she put it, “I definitely want the language in regards to the size added to this bill.” Planning Director Helena Parola said state statute lists the content required on the sign but contains no size limit and suggested 8.5 by 11 inches as a reasonable baseline. Office of General Counsel Laura Hartung noted that "each of the enumerated rules would be what the sign needs to contain," pointing committee members to the statutory checklist.

Several members, including Council Member Salem, emphasized visibility and legibility for families with young children; Salem asked for prominent notice so patrons know a dog "may be coming into that area after they sit down." The committee discussed a two-inch minimum letter-height as one option for legibility, and members directed staff and the planning department to finalize acceptable sign dimensions and wording in rules rather than prescribe exact language in the ordinance.

The amendment carried and the committee approved the bill as amended. The committee placed the technical work—final font size, application checklist and consistent sign templates—with the planning department and asked staff to coordinate with the parks or permitting offices so signage aligns with city standards.