Permanent Open Restaurants Program
Due to the success of the emergency Open Restaurants Program during COVID-19, New York City is working to create a permanent Open Restaurants program.
In November 2021, the City Planning Commission approved a zoning resolution text amendment to allow Open Restaurants to operate in geographic areas that were previously off-limits. This zoning change, which now heads to the City Council for final approval, is the first legal step toward ensuring that the outdoor dining program can continue beyond the current emergency program.
Next Steps
This program will be managed by NYC DOT and allow restaurants to use the sidewalk adjacent and curbside roadway space in front of their businesses for outdoor dining.
In order to make this program permanent, the laws that control outdoor dining in non-emergency situations must be changed. NYC Permanent Open Restaurants Program Brochure (pdf)
What does this mean for me?
- NYC DOT will administer both the sidewalk and roadway café programs through a streamlined application process
- Allow for outdoor dining on the sidewalk and in the curbside roadway space
- Available citywide
- Detailed, upfront design guidance based on the design guidelines outreach process
- Both sidewalk and roadway seating require license agreement
- Full NYC DOT enforcement unit to enforce roadway structures, ADA Compliance, clear path, and amplified noise devices
- Continued coordination with other city agencies on enforcement and rules
Get involved
Fill out the survey about Open Restaurants and improvements on the emergency program. Survey responses will shape the new design rules. The deadline for survey responses is December 31, 2021.
The Manhattan in-person borough meeting will be held:
- Friday, December 17, 2021, 9:30am
or attend a virtual meeting on:
- Tuesday, January 11, 2022, 12:00pm – 1:30pm
- Wednesday, January 12, 2022, 6:00pm – 7:30pm
