New York City Outdoor Dining Area New Regulations Implemented, Less Than 3,000 Businesses Applied

During the pandemic, outdoor dining sheds in New York City quickly became a common sight on the city streets, adding a unique touch to the urban landscape. However, as the pandemic gradually fades away, most of these outdoor dining sheds will soon bid farewell to New Yorkers. According to officials responsible for the project at the Department of Transportation, a total of 3,226 permit applications were received after the deadline for the “Dining Out NYC” outdoor dining permits.

Last Saturday (August 3rd) marked the final deadline for restaurants to apply for the New York City outdoor dining project “Dining Out NYC.” Those establishments that failed to apply will be required to dismantle their existing outdoor facilities, or face an initial violation fine of $500, with subsequent fines of $1,000 for each violation.

Based on data provided by the Department of Transportation’s press secretary, Vincent Barone, after the deadline, a total of 3,226 permit applications were received, with 1,277 for sidewalk-only dining areas, 681 for roadway-only areas, and another 634 for establishments applying for both types of dining areas. This means that only 2,592 restaurants in New York City applied for the permits.

The number of applications is significantly lower compared to the peak during the pandemic when over 9,500 restaurants applied for outdoor dining areas. At that time, outdoor dining provided a lifeline for businesses, complying with the government’s requirements to maintain social distancing. Despite the popularity of outdoor dining, abandoned sheds have become eyesores for neighbors and hiding places for rodents, leading the Mayor to announce plans to remove them in 2022.

According to reports by gothamist and the New York Daily News, the reasons for the lower application numbers vary, including stricter health regulations, additional costs, and the challenge of storing outdoor dining facilities during winter. For some small dining businesses, the absence of outdoor dining areas will result in decreased revenue, a change that New Yorkers will witness on the streets.

Wellington Chen, Executive Director of the Chinatown Business Improvement District in New York City, expressed that it was “not surprising” when interviewed by the media, citing feedback received that more applications were for sidewalk dining areas than roadside areas, as setting up outdoor dining facilities on sidewalks is more convenient.

Andrew Rigie, Executive Director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, suggested to the New York Daily News that based on the total number of applications received by the deadline, the city government may need to reassess the rules and make some changes to the application process, including extending the deadline.

Under the new regulations for outdoor dining areas, the permit fee for applying for sidewalk or roadside dining areas is $1,050, while applying for both costs $2,100. The permit is valid for four years, and restaurant owners must pay varying annual fees based on the location and size of the facilities. Additionally, sidewalk dining areas can now operate year-round, including the relatively warm months from April to November. Roadside dining areas are only allowed to operate between April 1st and November 29th and must close during the winter season.

In a statement, Ydanis Rodriguez, the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, expressed, “Outdoor dining areas have enriched our communities, and we are thrilled to make them a permanent feature of New York City streets. The outdoor dining project is the largest and best in the United States, and we encourage all interested restaurants to apply.”