On April 1, New Yorkers should have more al fresco dining options. That’s the date the Dining Out NYC program, which allows approved restaurants to operate outdoor extensions of their spaces, is scheduled to resume for the spring and summer seasons.
However, both The New York Times and New York Magazine are reporting that as of January 30, only 40 of the 3,700 applications that had been filed through the Dining Out program had been approved. While there has been no single, official explanation for this small number of approvals, one of the problems appears to be incomplete applications. “Hundreds of applications have been sent back to restaurants because they were incomplete,” explains the NYT. “The most common issue has been restaurants not providing full details on their site plans, which must include a drawing of the outdoor dining setup and identify its distance to nearby objects like mailboxes and fire hydrants.”
How Are Applications Reviewed?
Initial applications must be submitted to the Department of Transportation (DOT), which reviews the applications and determines whether a public hearing is necessary. Local community boards and advisory groups then perform their review and provide feedback to the DOT. The DOT may require changes to the applicant’s plan based on the community feedback. Once the DOT approves the application, it is sent to the City Comptroller’s office so that a license can be issued. If the applicant plans to serve alcohol, they must then secure approval from the State Liquor Authority.
What Can I Do to Help Get My Application Approved?
The most important thing a restaurant owner can do is provide a complete application that covers all of the details. Note that there are different requirements for roadway cafes and sidewalk cafes, so it’s important to understand which applies to your establishment and what your specific requirements are.
We are available to help restaurant owners navigate the process and submit complete applications with paperwork and plans that provide all of the required information. Let us help you facilitate a swift and favorable review.
