Apply for an Outdoor Dining Permit 

Service
Apply for Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Outdoor Dining. Steps to follow before applying, fee schedule, links to design guidance and permit conditions.

Application takes 5-10 minutes. Due to a high volume of requests, we estimate 5-10 business days to respond. Approval time varies.

On this Page

Determine if the Outdoor Dining permit is right for your situation 

Outdoor Dining permits let businesses and organizations conduct business on the sidewalk or street on an ongoing basis. 

All Outdoor Dining permit holders must follow the PBOT's design requirements and permit conditions. Please review them before applying.


Determine your use of public right-of-way

Public right-of-way may be used for restaurant tables and chairs, waiting areas, retail space, temporary patio or plaza, or other services and creative uses you might have. 


Coordinate with neighboring businesses and organizations

Check with your neighbors to see if they also need public right-of-way. Work with these other businesses or organizations to determine how much space you all need and how the public right-of-way could be used. 


Fee schedule

Application and permit fees for the 2024 cycle: 

Application typePermit 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

Permit fees are not final until an Outdoor Dining inspector has measured your site. 

For street use, you will be charged for the actual square footage used, not including emergency lanes, areas left open for driveways, or areas containing required traffic control devices. If you need help estimating the permit fee for your street permit, please contact us.


Gather your information

To complete the permit application, you will need the following information:

  • Contact information for the person responsible for the application
  • Basic business or organization information, including mailing address and the address of the location for which you are applying
  • Some idea of the plans for the space: What space are you requesting? What do you want to put in it? What are the space’s dimensions?
  • Desired permit start date

You will also need to submit current photos of the space you intend to use (if this is a new application) or your installation (if this is a renewal). Images from Google Street View will not be accepted. Please include the following:

  • A photo of the site from across the street
  • A photo of the site from the nearest intersection
  • A photo showing the sidewalk from building frontage to curb

In order to avoid delays in permit processing, it is recommended that you attach the photos when applying online. You may also submit them via email if you are unable to submit them when you apply. If you need assistance with this requirement, please contact us.


Apply online

To apply for a current Outdoor Dining permit valid for the 2024 cycle: 


Apply for an Outdoor Dining permit


Apply on paper

To apply for a current Outdoor Dining permit valid for the 2024 cycle on paper, please refer to the information packet below: 


After you apply

After you submit an application, an Outdoor Dining team member will get in touch with you to complete the permitting process. PBOT will support applicants as much as we can to make sure they meet the permit requirements.

Steps to finish processing your permit application:

  1. Pay your application fee. An Outdoor Dining team member will send you information about how to pay the application and permit fees after you apply. Application fees are not refundable under any circumstances. Please do not send us a check.
  2. Submit any missing or additional information. Your permit technician will let you know what else you need to submit in order to process your application. This might include:
    1. Missing information. If you were unable to upload photos with your application, we will request them by email at this point.
    2. Proof of insurance.
    3. A consent form from your neighbor (if applicable).
  3. Be available for an inspection. An in-person inspection of the proposed site may be required.
  4. Pay your permit fee and complete the Rescue Plan reporting form. After all other steps are completed, an Outdoor Dining team member will contact you for the final steps:
    1. Pay your permit fee, following the steps the Outdoor Dining team member gives you. See refund policy below.
    2. Complete the Rescue Plan reporting form. The City of Portland is required to request demographic information from recipients of Rescue Plan-funded programs, services, and assistance for federal reporting on our use of these funds. In addition, we may use this information to help ensure that our services reach a broad cross section of the community. Your responses will be stored separately from your permit application and will not be used to evaluate your application. While you must complete the form before we can issue your permit, every demographic question has an “I prefer not to disclose” choice available.
  5. Receive your permit.

Refund policy

Application fees are not refundable under any circumstances.

Permit fees are generally not refundable. However, in rare circumstances, staff may need to reduce or revoke a permit based on active field conditions. In those cases, all effort will be made to minimize impacts on businesses, and so, if necessary, a prorated refund of the permit fee will be issued.

If PBOT determines that your Outdoor Dining permit is eligible for a refund, an Outdoor Dining team member will notify you. The notification will include a date by which the site must be vacated. To initiate the refund process, submit your request to  OutdoorDiningPDX@portlandoregon.gov after you have vacated the site. PBOT will confirm that the site is vacant before issuing the refund. 

All refund payments will be made to the permit holder only, at the address provided on the permit application.

Refunds will be processed within 60 business days of the date the permit holder notifies PBOT that the site is vacant.


Receive your approved permit

When PBOT staff has approved your permit, we will email you a copy along with permit conditions and requirements.

If you are using parking spaces in a metered district, officers with PBOT Parking Enforcement will place reservation signage or devices for you. If you are outside a metered district, we will email you "no parking" signs you will need to place yourself. Traffic control devices are required.

All use of Outdoor Dining permits must align with state and county health guidance related to Covid-19 and businesses, including hours of operation:


Related permits

Other agencies may require permits for new or altered commercial uses. Check with the following agencies for guidance on which permits may be required for your specific situation:

AgencyGuidance
Bureau of Development Services (BDS) 

Changing uses or structures on private property may require permits.  

Vending truck, cart, and drive-up business requirements on property 

Portable and temporary signs 

Multnomah County Food service inspection and licensing, including food carts 
Fire Marshal Permits and inspections relating to use of gas or heating 
Office of Community and Civic Life,  Oregon Liquor Control Commission 

Liquor Licensing Program, which often must be expanded for outdoor service 

Noise Control Program, relevant to outdoor activities that may generate noise 

Cannabis Program. If cannabis or any cannabis product is present at an event, please comply with the requirements of the Portland's Cannabis Policy Program 

Portland Parks & Recreation 

Park Rentals and Permits  

Non-Park Use Permits 

Contact

PBOT Outdoor Dining team

phone number503-823-4026Contact with questions about your Street Seats or Sidewalk Cafe permits applications opening Oct. 16, 2023 and valid starting Jan. 1, 2024.

Mailing address

Portland Bureau of Transportation Attn: Outdoor Dining
1120 SW Fifth Ave, Suite 1331
Portland, OR 97204