Frisco City Council in a nearly unanimous vote decided to change the city’s health ordinance granting restaurants to allow dogs on patio areas. At their upcoming meeting, members of Council will vote to ultimately sanction the final ordinance change.

Council member Will Sowell solely voted against the change, suggesting that he was representing the community members.

“I don’t see any significant market demand,” Sowell said to Community Impact Newspaper. “The residents through data have indicated they are not supportive. So, my position on this has not changed.”

Frisco restaurants will not be required to allow dogs on patio areas but the change will offer them the opportunity to do so, as supported by council member Scott Johnson.

“I believe in the free market, good or bad, and I believe the free market is going to make that decision for us,” Johnson said to Community Impact Newspaper. “Some restaurants will naturally become dog-friendly restaurants, and some will become non-dog-friendly restaurants.”

Before allowing dogs on patio areas, restaurants must meet structural requirements, post signed indications of policies, and require owners to maintain physical control of animals.