Fountain Inn City Council to consider stricter sidewalk and outdoor dining regulations

Downtown business owners operating outdoor dining setups, sidewalk signs, or merchandise displays could soon see substantial regulatory updates and swift new enforcement measures, as Fountain Inn City Council prepares for a final vote on Ordinance 2026-08.

The proposed legislation represents a major rewrite of Chapter 11, Article VIII of the municipal code. Following its first reading on August 13, council members will take up the second and final reading of the measure on Thursday, September 10.

If adopted, the revised rules introduce four pivotal operational shifts for merchants using the public right-of-way outside their storefronts:

• Quadrupled Liability Insurance: Minimum general liability insurance requirements will jump from $250,000 per occurrence to $1,000,000 per occurrence, paired with a $2,000,000 aggregate requirement (up from $1,000,000).

• Immediate Removal Without Notice: The city will have the authority to immediately seize and remove any outdoor furniture, displays, or signs that obstruct pedestrian or emergency access. No advance warning is required, and all associated removal costs will be billed directly to the business owner.

• Annual Permit Expirations: Outdoor permits, previously valid on a three-year cycle, will now expire and require renewal every year on July 1.

• Frontage Limitations: Commercial displays and dining spaces are strictly confined to the immediate frontage of a merchant’s own storefront, unless neighboring property owners grant explicit written consent.

The proposed changes have sparked widespread discussion among downtown proprietors, with some raising concerns that higher insurance costs could force them to remove sidewalk tables and seating altogether.

In response, the Fountain Inn Chamber of Commerce is urging downtown business owners to review the guidelines before Thursday’s council meeting. The Chamber outlined key action steps merchants should take immediately:

• Evaluate current outdoor setups against the proposed right-of-way and accessibility boundaries.

• Contact commercial insurance providers to assess the availability and cost of the $1M/$2M policy threshold.

• Initiate ABC license updates for establishments serving beer, wine, or liquor in outdoor seating areas.

• Submit feedback directly to the Chamber (864-862-2586, ext. 2) to ensure merchant perspectives are represented before council members cast their votes.

• Monitor municipal agenda postings and plan to attend the September 10 council meeting to address the issue during public proceedings.