NYC Leaders Push for Year-Round Outdoor Dining Amid Winter Shutdown

New York City lawmakers and business leaders are intensifying efforts to reinstate the city’s year-round outdoor dining program. As winter approaches, many establishments are preparing to dismantle their outdoor setups ahead of the seasonal deadline on November 29, 2023. A rally was held on Monday before a City Council oversight hearing, where officials discussed legislation aimed at simplifying the permitting process for restaurateurs and removing the seasonal restrictions on roadway cafes.

The push for year-round outdoor dining stems from the success of an emergency program initiated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative allowed over 12,000 establishments to participate in outdoor dining, enabling restaurants to comply with social distancing regulations while increasing their capacity and revenue during a tumultuous period. Last year, the city transitioned from the emergency measure to a permanent program, introducing new regulations and fees and limiting outdoor dining to warmer months. This change has faced significant backlash from restaurant owners, many of whom argue that the new rules are cumbersome and costly.

Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, emphasized the detrimental impact of the current regulations. He stated, “The seasonality of the roadway cafe has just made it cost-prohibitive for too many small businesses in neighborhoods across the five boroughs to participate.” Rigie noted that the expenses associated with setting up, breaking down, and storing outdoor dining structures during the winter months have discouraged many neighborhood restaurants from participating.

Councilmember Lincoln Restler, the sponsor of the proposed legislation, expressed optimism that it would pass early in the new year. He highlighted the support from the incoming Mamdani administration, which he believes will be more favorable toward a year-round outdoor dining program. “We have a Mayor-elect who’s been a great advocate and supporter of outdoor dining,” Restler remarked, referencing the support from leading candidates for the City Council speaker position. “I’m hopeful and optimistic that early in the new year, we’ll be able to get these bills passed, adopted, and swiftly implemented.”

The administration of Mayor Eric Adams has characterized the outdoor dining initiative as a significant success, even amidst criticisms of the City Council’s management of the program. Anna Correa, a spokesperson for Adams, stated, “The Adams administration implemented the largest outdoor dining program in the country—second only to Paris globally—by cutting red tape and making it as easy as possible for restaurants to participate.” She added that new applications continue to be submitted daily.

Support for the proposed bills extends beyond the restaurant industry, garnering backing from nonprofits such as Transportation Alternatives and Open Plans. One of the proposed measures would permit grocery stores and bodegas to join the outdoor dining program and allow some restaurants to extend their setups onto neighboring properties, provided they receive permission. It also sets forth guidelines for snow removal, sanitation, and intersection clearances. According to City Hall, establishments are already able to participate in outdoor dining if they possess the appropriate permits.

Another proposed bill aims to streamline the permit application process by requiring the city to offer both online and in-person applications, allowing applicants to save incomplete forms for later completion. This change is designed to make the process more accessible for all interested businesses.

As discussions continue and the winter deadline approaches, the outcome of these legislative efforts could significantly impact the future of outdoor dining in New York City, which has become a vital aspect of the local dining experience.