Sonoma’s plan to let restaurants operate on Sonoma Plaza

Sonoma restaurants have the opportunity to stake a space on Sonoma Plaza to serve up to 32 people, part of the city’s economic recovery strategy to account for social-distancing rules.

Girl and the fig, the first restaurant to be approved, began its  Summer Pop-Ups on the Sonoma Plaza this weekend.

Expanded service on Sonoma Plaza is part of the City’s efforts to assist restaurants in temporarily adding or expanding their outside dining options to accommodate COVID-19 related health standards.

Use of the Plaza area is available to City of Sonoma businesses whose operations are limited due to physical distancing requirements. The use of the park is limited to 11 am –9 pm, Thursday through Sunday.

The use of the park will be limited to 11 am –9 pm, Thursday through Sunday. Each operator will be assume full responsibility for the cleanliness (including COVID-19 preventing disinfecting), garbage collection, safety, security and overall community impact of the space assigned.

The form is on the City’s website. There is no fee or cost for the City to review proposed plans for expansion.

Each assigned area will measure up to 4,000 square feet, enough to hold approximately eight four-top tables or six larger tables,  with a spacing of 8-10’ between tables. Use of the Plaza is for the sole purpose of providing extra dining space: entertainment, music, etc. is prohibited.

City Council acted on recommendations by its Economic Reopening and Recovery Ad Hoc Subcommittee, which was led by Mayor Logan Harvey and Vice Mayor Rachel Hundley in concert with the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau and the Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance.