Philly cracking down on sidewalk cafe violations

City officials in Philadelphia are cracking down on sidewalk cafes after receiving complaints from pedestrians that they were making walkways impassable.

Fox29 reports the Streets Department says it will be conducting monthly inspections to ensure restaurants are following sidewalk cafe requirements.Acting streets Commissioner David Perri says sidewalk cafes are a valued amenity, but that their operators must keep sidewalks safe and accessible.

City rules say at least half the sidewalk must be accessible to pedestrians. Cafes that are not following an approved seating plan risk being ticketed.

The station reports the city’s crackdown started last week, when about a dozen restaurants in the Old City neighborhood were fined $75 for clogging the sidewalk. City officials say stepped-up patrols are to continue through the summer.