*NEW* City Council Approves New Outdoor Dining Guidelines and Fees
On Wednesday, Sept. 27th the Portland City Council approved changes to the Transportation Fee Schedule and accompanying city code to make the Outdoor Dining program permanent.
These changes make for an updated and permanent Outdoor Dining Program. Program changes take effect Jan. 1, 2024. Applications for 2024 will open Oct. 16th.
The new design guidelines for outdoor dining permits are based on engagement with the local business community and other stakeholders. These guidelines will ensure that outdoor dining spaces in the street or sidewalk have access for people with disabilities, emergency response vehicles, public transit, and loading zones. The guidelines also address street safety hazards. In preparation for the upcoming changes download the design guidelines below.
In addition to the design guidelines, the fee structure has been updated and now offers a seasonal option in addition to the existing annual options. The new fee structure will help expand access to the program for smaller operators. To help businesses adjust to the new changes PBOT will be utilizing The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to partially subsidize the cost of permits for 2024.
| Application type | Permit Fees |
|---|---|
Sidewalk Café 12 months | Application Fee: $450* Permit Fee: $350* Permit Area: $9 per linear foot |
Seasonal Street Seats May-October | Application Fee: $450* Permit Fee: $350* Permit Area: $400 per parking space |
Street Seats with Platform Annual 12 months | Application Fee: $450* Permit Fee: $350* Permit Area: $750 per parking space |
Street Seats with Platform and Roof Annual 12 months | Application Fee: $750* Permit Fee: $350* Permit Area: $1000 per parking space |
Insurance Review Fee - $48.06*
Permit Change Fee - $150*
Site Reinspection Fee - $150*
*Denotes fees that may be subsidized with ARPA funds
Overview of current Healthy Businesses permit
Businesses are required to have a Healthy Businesses permit to have food or beverage service in city right-of-way and to take up portion of the sidewalk, parking, street, alley, etc. Here's what businesses should know before applying:
- Access for pedestrians and people with disabilities must be maintained at all times. A clear 6-foot pedestrian path is required throughout the sidewalk at all times and no obstructions may be placed in this zone at any time.
- PBOT encourages businesses to coordinate with neighboring businesses and organizations first before applying.
- Area business districts and associations may be able to help provide insurance, traffic control devices, or other requirements of the Healthy Business permit. Find your business district or association using this map
- Items and equipment (including traffic control devices) cannot be attached or adhered to the sidewalk, streets, curb, utility pole, or other City infrastructure. Permit holders cannot alter any infrastructure in the right-of-way.
- Permit holders are responsible for maintaining the area around their installation. If a parking space is used, permit holders must clean debris from the area under and around as needed
- Businesses must ensure that there is always access for people to line up and use transit stops.
- Because this program is temporary, businesses may not relocate fixed infrastructure such as bike racks to make more room in the right-of-way, nor is PBOT able to accommodate such requests.
- All streets will require some combination of traffic control equipment to separate people and vehicles. Parking lanes are typically 8 feet wide; 7 feet may be used for the installation with the remaining foot to be used for traffic control or other approved buffering materials. Streets with higher speed limits (25 mph or higher) will require more.
How to apply for current Healthy Businesses permits
Applications for permits for the September 2022 - December 2023 cycle remain in place. Visit the application page here:
Apply for a Healthy Businesses permit
These permits are good through Dec. 31, 2023.
Current requirements for Healthy Businesses permits
See our current design guidelines and permit conditions, as well as a detailed guide to making your space compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) at the links below:
Healthy Businesses design guidelines and permit conditions
Making outdoor dining spaces ADA-compliant
Be sure to visit our other pages about PBOT's insurance requirements and standards, basic traffic control devices, and a partial list of vendors here:
Basic traffic control devices and vendors
Sign up for email updates
Stay up to date on the latest news and information about the existing Healthy Businesses permit and PBOT's new permit Outdoor Dining program.
Click here to sign up for email updates
History of the Healthy Businesses permit
The Healthy Businesses Permitting Program began as an emergency response that allowed for free, temporary permits with relaxed conditions. In 2020, Portland's Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) quickly responded and prioritized restaurants, retail, and others shifting to outdoor spaces without requiring an inspection for adherence to the written requirements that came with the permits.
Thanks to action by City Council in May 2022, the program is transitioning from short-term pandemic response to a long-term program.
Permits are temporary and revocable.
For information about using parking lots and other private property, visit the Bureau of Development Services.
The Healthy Businesses program was funded by Portland’s allocation from the American Rescue Plan, a federal economic stimulus bill designed to help communities recover from the Covid-19 pandemic and economic recession. The City of Portland is receiving $208 million of local recovery funds. Investments focus on three key priorities: houselessness response and household stabilization, business and commercial district stabilization, and community health and safety. For more information, go to Portland.gov/United.