Design Tips and Outdoor Dining Program Update

Hello Portlanders,   

Welcome to the 2025 cycle for Outdoor Dining! The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) wants to keep you informed with design tips and important updates on program fees for outdoor dining and retail permits.

View full size image of Two people sitting at tables on the sidewalk.

Design Guidelines Requirement for Street Seats: A-Board Signs

While our Outdoor Dining Design guidelines require that all seating in permitted areas maintain the Pedestrian Through Zone, it's important to note that the arrangement of your outdoor seating is not the only thing you should be thinking about.

Using A-Board signs is a popular way to advertise your business, and you can apply for an A-Board sign here.

You must position A-Board sign such that they do not impede sidewalk users from using the full width of the sidewalk they're entitled to. The Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines lists Pedestrian Through Zone requirements:

Areas with sidewalk width:

• 8 to 10 feet wide sidewalks must have a minimum 5 and 1/2 feet wide Pedestrian Through Zone.
• Sidewalks wider than 10 feet but less than 15 feet wide must have a minimum 6 feet wide Pedestrian Through Zone.
• Sidewalks 15 feet wide or wider must have a minimum 8 feet wide Pedestrian Through Zone.

Below is a picture of a typical A-Board sign which you might use on the sidewalk, but have to be careful placing to avoid obstructing the Pedestrian Through Zone.

View full size image of Stock image of an unlabeled A-Board sign

Other common non-seating obstructions of the Pedestrian Through Zone:

• Line stanchions - If you're hosting an event, or otherwise have a large number of customers, line stanchions are a common way to organize people into a line on the sidewalk. It is important to note that when using these, you must still maintain a Pedestrian Through Zone as defined by our Outdoor Dining Design Guidelines
• Umbrellas - If umbrellas extend into the Pedestrian Through Zone,
  they must be 7 feet minimum above the sidewalk surface.
• Bussing tables - Bussing Tables (stationary or wheeled) must not be present outside of business hours, and they must not impede the Pedestrian Through Zone.