︎︎︎ DOT “Revocable
consent permit”
A Revocable Consent Permit, which allows individuals or organizations to construct and maintain certain structures(like planters or benches) on, over, or under the City’s streets and sidewalks, will be required of the business owner for the placement of benches (an A-frame sign is allowed without permit when placed within three feet of the property and if sidewalk measures at least 12 feet wide from the building to the curb). Generally, Revocable Consent Permits are granted for a term of ten years and may be renewed by the owner or tenant of the property that benefits from the structure.
NOTE: IF A BUSINESS IS LOCATED ON A “ZERO-SIDEWALK DISPLAY” STREET, A-FRAME SIGNS ARE NOT PERMITTED. CALL 311 TO ASK IF YOUR BUSINESS IS LOCATED ON A ZERO SIDEWALK DISPLAY STREET.
A Revocable Consent Permit, which allows individuals or organizations to construct and maintain certain structures(like planters or benches) on, over, or under the City’s streets and sidewalks, will be required of the business owner for the placement of benches (an A-frame sign is allowed without permit when placed within three feet of the property and if sidewalk measures at least 12 feet wide from the building to the curb). Generally, Revocable Consent Permits are granted for a term of ten years and may be renewed by the owner or tenant of the property that benefits from the structure.
NOTE: IF A BUSINESS IS LOCATED ON A “ZERO-SIDEWALK DISPLAY” STREET, A-FRAME SIGNS ARE NOT PERMITTED. CALL 311 TO ASK IF YOUR BUSINESS IS LOCATED ON A ZERO SIDEWALK DISPLAY STREET.
According to New York City’s Sidewalk dataset, about 80% of sidewalk widths fall below 12 feet making it nearly impossible for businesses to adhere to the regulations set forth in sidewalk usage.
“I own a restaurant and would like to put three to four tables on the public sidewalk outside of my storefront.”
︎︎︎ DCWP “Sidewalk Cafe
License”
A Sidewalk Cafe License allows a business to operate a portion of a restaurant on a public sidewalk. The three types of allowable sidewalk cafes include an Enclosed Sidewalk Cafe (enclosed area on the public sidewalk in front of the restaurant that is constructed predominantly of light materials such as glass, plastic, or lightweight metal), an Unenclosed Sidewalk Cafe (outdoor area on the public sidewalk in front of the restaurant that contains removable tables and chairs), and a Small Unenclosed Sidewalk cafe (no more than a single row of removable tables and chairs next to the building occupying no more than four feet and six inches of the public sidewalk). The license is granted for 24 months (or two years) and may be renewed.
THIS LICENSE TYPE IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED.
A Sidewalk Cafe License allows a business to operate a portion of a restaurant on a public sidewalk. The three types of allowable sidewalk cafes include an Enclosed Sidewalk Cafe (enclosed area on the public sidewalk in front of the restaurant that is constructed predominantly of light materials such as glass, plastic, or lightweight metal), an Unenclosed Sidewalk Cafe (outdoor area on the public sidewalk in front of the restaurant that contains removable tables and chairs), and a Small Unenclosed Sidewalk cafe (no more than a single row of removable tables and chairs next to the building occupying no more than four feet and six inches of the public sidewalk). The license is granted for 24 months (or two years) and may be renewed.
THIS LICENSE TYPE IS CURRENTLY SUSPENDED.
︎︎︎ DOT “Open Restaurant (Sidewalk) Permit”
The temporary Open Restaurant Emergency Program, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and slated for permanent adoption, allows food establishments to place outdoor seating in front of their establishment on the public sidewalk (placed up against the wall of the business or as close as possible) as long as structures are removable, do not infringe upon/impede the eight foot pedestrian clear path on the sidewalk, and do not block any right-of-way signs, street regulation signs, fire escapes, Siamese pipes or water sampling stations.
The temporary Open Restaurant Emergency Program, launched during the COVID-19 pandemic and slated for permanent adoption, allows food establishments to place outdoor seating in front of their establishment on the public sidewalk (placed up against the wall of the business or as close as possible) as long as structures are removable, do not infringe upon/impede the eight foot pedestrian clear path on the sidewalk, and do not block any right-of-way signs, street regulation signs, fire escapes, Siamese pipes or water sampling stations.
︎︎︎ Executive Summary
︎︎︎ Introduction
︎︎︎ The Brief/Challenge
︎︎︎ Understanding the Regulatory Landscape
︎︎︎ Sidewalks
︎︎︎ Streets
︎︎︎ Plazas
︎︎︎ Navigating the Current Regulatory Process
︎︎︎ Adapting to the Pandemic
︎︎︎ Introduction
︎︎︎ The Brief/Challenge
︎︎︎ Understanding the Regulatory Landscape
︎︎︎ Sidewalks
︎︎︎ Streets
︎︎︎ Plazas
︎︎︎ Navigating the Current Regulatory Process
︎︎︎ Adapting to the Pandemic
︎︎︎ Enhancing the City’s Approach to Public Space Management
︎︎︎ Recommendations
︎︎︎ Appendix
︎︎︎ Credits
︎︎︎Watkins Public Space
︎︎︎What’s Up, Jamaica!
︎︎︎ Recommendations
︎︎︎ Appendix
︎︎︎ Credits
︎︎︎Watkins Public Space
︎︎︎What’s Up, Jamaica!