Restaurants in Covington that are adjacent to churches and schools will be allowed to sell alcoholic beverages under an ordinance approved by the City Council Tuesday night.

The council’s unanimous vote on the ordinance means the city’s regulations now mirror those in New Orleans, which exempt restaurants from the state law designed to prohibit bars from operating within 300 feet of schools and churches.

A zoning change that advocates describe as a win for restaurant owners outside of downtown’s 1.6 square miles — particularly with the proliferation of new dining spots there and in the greater downtown’s 7.2 square miles — took effect last month after nearly three years of work.

The zoning change makes the process for opening a restaurant in Detriot a lot quicker and easier than it used to be. Prospective restaurateurs no longer have to go through a lengthy hearing process with the Building, Safety Engineering & Environmental Department and the Board of Zoning Appeals if they want to locate within 1,000 feet of two other alcohol-serving restaurants. Restaurants throughout the city’s 143 square miles that serve alcohol are now considered a “by right” use.