Outdoor sidewalk dining took over Los Angeles during and post-pandemic. Many cafes and restaurants continued to keep their outdoor seating, which offered a nice option for dining with a view.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced an extension to the deadline for business owners to apply to continue offering outdoor dining through the popular Al Fresco program, a streamlined permitting process that allows dining on sidewalks, streets and other outdoor spaces. She also has encouraged City departments to focus on serving business owners to ease the transition to the permanent program.
The City of Los Angeles will increase department services and resources to support restaurants, cafes and eateries seeking to transition to the streamlined permanent Al Fresco Outdoor Dining Program from the pandemic-era emergency program. “We want restaurants and businesses to thrive in Los Angeles. It is with that commitment that I am announcing an extension to the deadline for businesses to transition to the permanent Al Fresco program, which carries forward the spirit of this vital program,” said Mayor Bass. I want to encourage businesses who still hold temporary permits to apply today. The City is ready to assist you.”
More than 3,000 businesses have been contacted regarding the transition to the permanent Al fresco program. The Al Fresco program has helped business owners thrive as 90% of businesses believe their outdoor dining area is integral to their businesses operations and identity, according to a City survey of participating owners.
Last year, Mayor Bass directed departments to coordinate and develop the approved permanent program which was created to support small businesses and center them in policy development. In December, the City Council approved the establishment of the permanent program.
How will the City focus on customer service for restaurants, eateries and cafes who want to continue offering Al Fresco dining?
The Mayor’s Office is working closely with City Departments to implement strategies that alleviate bottlenecks and reduce timelines, and make processing applications as easy and transparent as possible. The Mayor has made clear that City Departments should coordinate and collaborate with each other to facilitate a smooth transition by educating the public, informing stakeholders of key resources and keeping businesses apprised of timelines for project submittals and reviews.
The involved departments have agreed to:
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Review and process all completed applications for new and transitioning Al Fresco within 30 days of the date of submission. This includes departments communicating any necessary changes or guidance. As much as possible, City Departments are to conduct all required reviews and approvals simultaneously, not sequentially.
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Issue conditional approvals for all completed applications with fees paid.
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Participate in a webinar, virtual meeting, or application clinic to assist project applicants and restaurant owners with Al Fresco guidelines to troubleshoot project and site plan issues.
What is the deadline extension?
Business owners will now have until December 31, 2024 to submit their applications. Prior to this announcement, the deadline was July 31, 2024. Businesses can apply here.
Is there funding available to offset permitting fees?
Funding is available through the Al Fresco Small Business Fee Reduction Program to help offset certain permitting fees for installations in the public right-of-way.
How can business owners receive assistance with completing their applications?
For in-person and virtual assistance, BusinessSource Center staff are onsite and ready to assist at no-cost – see full list of locations across the city and operations hours here. The Mayor’s Office Business Concierge is here to help via email at businessconcierge@lacity.org.
Resources are available online through departments recorded webinars that can be viewed here.
Business owners can also review the Online Al Fresco Guide, which outlines requirements, anticipated costs, and answers to frequently asked questions.
