D.C.’s outdoor dining landscape is changing once again. The Temporary Streatery Program, which launched during the height of the pandemic, is set to end on Nov. 30. The program allowed restaurants to quickly expand seating into curbside areas to help diners feel comfortable during COVID-19’s spread.
The good news for outdoor dining aficionados is that streateries are not going away completely. Instead, the District Department of Transportation is creating a permanent Streatery Program. But, this new program comes with stricter requirements and cost changes.
New Outdoor Dining Requirements
Under the new rules, restaurants wishing to keep their outdoor structures, or build one, must apply for a Streatery Design Permit from DDOT. And that will come with additional costs. Participating restaurants will have to pay a roughly $20 per square foot public space fee, plus costs for barriers, potential electric work, and more. Restaurants will also have to comply with updated safety and accessibility standards.
What About Existing Streateries?
For restaurants that will not apply for the new permit, DDOT will help businesses remove the debris of deconstructed streateries. Restaurants looking for this assistance must contact the department by Nov. 1 or face possible risk enforcement.
Of the 33 businesses in Adams Morgan that have streateries currently, only three told 7News they plan to keep their outdoor dining structures. In Georgetown, the same was said for only 10 of the 67 businesses with street dining.
While many might be lamenting roadside patios that became a fixture of the early pandemic era, some don’t think they have a place in D.C. Nick DelleDonne, a spokesman for D.C. Safe Streets Coalition, told us recently that streateries are eyesores and they narrow D.C.'s streets, jeopardizing safety. City Cast DC listener Scot S. agrees. “Parking spaces are for parking,” he said. “Same for bike lanes. As a bicyclist and pedestrian, streateries jeopardize my safety to put money in someone else’s pocket.”
