Permanent Sidewalk Seating: Yes or No?

The Daily News’s resident grumpy old man Stu Bykofsky complained about sidewalk cafes again. He admonished Philly restaurants for ignoring the Philadelphia Code (and the city for not enforcing it) that states a certain amount of space must be left unobstructed on each sidewalk for pedestrians. Another law states that restaurants cannot install permanent outdoor seating – much like the anchored counters outside of Amis, above – yet the only punishment is a $75 fine that doesn’t get worse with repeat offenses. He finds this outrageous.

Do you, as the great pedestrians and citizens of Philadelphia also think that sidewalk cafes should be more heavily regulated, or banished altogether? Do they pose an extreme obstacle to you? Answer in the poll below.

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