The owner of The Silo tavern in Sumner wants to have outdoor seating for patrons, something he’s been thinking about since the establishment opened.

Justin Evans opened his business in what once was Sharkey’s Pub a little more than a year ago.

“It’s something we had in mind,” Evans said.

Before customers sit outside on a sunny day and sip a cold one, Evans must navigate Sumner’s code regarding outdoor seating.

Talking to other bar owners, he learned the city’s code prohibits outdoor seating at bars and taverns. He dove into the facts and discovered more about the obstacles between him and outdoor seating.

“I did all the research and read the regulations,” he said.

Evans spoke with Sumner’s community development director Paul Rogerson, who told him the proper steps, and addressed Sumner City Council on Aug. 16.

Council invited him to attend the next development meeting on Sept. 8 to further discuss his proposal.

Sumner’s city plan does not forbid outdoor seating of any kind, but seating outside of bars and taverns.

If 30 percent or more of the square footage of an establishment is used as the bar area, it’s classified as a tavern.

“Because we operate as a tavern, that’s wherein lies the issue,” he said.

Approximately two years ago the city council amended the zoning code to prohibit outdoor seating at bars and taverns.

“This was discussed at great length at council and it was quite a debate,” Rogerson said.

The history of Sharkey’s Pub is responsible for the ordinance, according to Rogerson. Following a string of calls to police regarding activities at the pub or in the parking lot behind it, the ordinance arose.

In order to have the outdoor seating at The Silo, Evans must convince the council to backpedal on the ban.

“His only option is to get the council to amend that ordinance,” Rogerson said.

Evans may know if this is possible when he meets with the planning committee.