Doggy Dining OK’d in Largo

Add the city of Largo to the list of places where you can take your pooch out to eat.

Well, in a couple months at least.

City leaders unanimously approved rules that would allow certain restaurant owners the option to offer outdoor doggy dining at their meeting Tuesday. The rules go before the City Commission again Aug. 6 for a final vote.

Restaurant owners would pay a one-time $41 permit and inspection fee before being able to allow diners and their dogs.

Under the rules, which follow state regulations, dogs would need to wear leashes with a six-foot maximum length, and dogs are not allowed on tables and chairs. The dining option only allows dogs to be outdoors.

Hand sanitizer also must be available at each table in the designated dog-friendly areas. Also, employees must wash their hands after petting any dog.

Vice Mayor Woody Brown asked staff to develop the ordinance in March.

“What this does is give restaurant owners ... more options,” Brown said Tuesday. “I’m all for giving them choices to do things unique and different.”

Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor and Dunedin already have similar ordinances. The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners also approved a similar ordinance.