Who Knew?

This explains why New York seemed to have so few outdoor heaters, period:

The much-too-short sidewalk-cafe season is about to be extended under new rules that would, for the first time, allow city restaurants to install outdoor heaters, The Post has learned.

After more than a year of discussions with the restaurant industry, the Department of Consumer Affairs is preparing regulations that would make nonpropane heaters legal at unenclosed cafes, officials said.

Sidewalk cafes are huge profit centers for restaurant owners squeezed by high rents.

Dina Improta, a spokeswoman for Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz, confirmed that the agency plans to amend its rules for sidewalk heaters.