Effective immediately, liquor-only establishments may apply to use the Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit to operate on the sidewalk immediately in front of or adjacent to their establishment.

Previously, these areas were reserved for food-serving establishments only via the sidewalk café permit. Now, while food establishments should still use the sidewalk café permit, liquor establishments without a Retail Food license can apply for an Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit in areas that are typically sidewalk cafes.

To apply, businesses must identify a partner food establishment so that food would be available in the outdoor areas. Sidewalk outdoor areas must leave six feet of pedestrian walking space and must be surrounded by a barrier erected 27 inches high or less above the ground to provide cane detection, with an entrance 3 to 5 feet wide.

Additionally, effective immediately, food or liquor establishments may apply for the Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit to temporarily operate in locations that would typically require an Outdoor Patio license.

Previously, establishments with patios, courtyards and other permanent outdoor locations have been expected to obtain an Outdoor Patio license, which includes a number of regulatory hurdles and an extended application process. Effective today, bars and restaurants can now apply to use the Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit at these locations, which will make it easier and quicker to operate outside.

To learn more about the entire Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit, please read the FAQ. As a reminder, this permit can be used for any of the following purposes:

• Chambers, SSAs, Business Service Organizations or three or more establishments can apply for street closure or other use of public property for multiple bars and/or restaurants to participate.
• Individual bars or restaurants can apply to temporarily operate in private property (i.e. parking lots and, effective immediately, areas that are typically Outdoor Patios)
• Effective immediately, individual liquor-only establishments can apply to operate in sidewalk space immediately in front of or adjacent to their establishment