Last Call: Restaurants Must Remove Roadway Outdoor Dining Setups by End of Day Friday or Face Penalties

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 26, 2024
Contact: (212) 839-4850, [email protected]

Last Call: Restaurants Must Remove Roadway Outdoor Dining Setups by End of Day Friday or Face Penalties

The Roadway Outdoor Dining Season Ends on November 29 and Will Resume April 1; Sidewalk Dining Stays Open All Year

Need Storage or Rentals? Explore Solutions With the Dining Out NYC Marketplace

Join Anytime: Dining Out NYC Applications Open Year-Round

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez reminds food service establishments that Friday, November 29, is the final day to remove roadway outdoor dining setups for the 2024 season. Businesses that fail to comply with the deadline will face violations of up to $1,000. Sidewalk-based outdoor dining setups that meet program guidelines may continue to operate year-round, while the roadway dining season will resume on April 1, 2025, as established by City Council legislation.

"New Yorkers came to enjoy outdoor dining during the pandemic and Dining Out NYC has made it a permanent, vibrant part of our streets," said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. "As the season for outdoor dining in our roadways draws to a close on November 29, I urge all businesses to act now and remove their setups to avoid costly violations."

Dining Out NYC is the nation's largest permanent outdoor dining program and, under legislation passed by the New York City Council, the roadway outdoor dining season operates annually from April 1 through November 29. Sidewalk outdoor dining remains year-round, along with important reforms to address key quality-of-life concerns.

Businesses must remove their roadway setups by the end of the day on November 29 to ensure compliance and avoid penalties. To help make it as easy as possible for restaurants to participate in outdoor dining next year, NYC DOT has created a Dining Out NYC Marketplace, which features products and companies offering storage, setup, removal, and rental solutions. The marketplace is an optional resource for restaurants.

As of Tuesday morning, NYC DOT has received license applications from 2,994 restaurants. This is more than double the amount of participating restaurants from the pre-COVID program.

Applications for Dining Out NYC remain open year-round, allowing restaurants to prepare for the next roadway dining season. The Dining Out NYC website features a Setup Menu with design options, and access to the marketplace for purchasing or renting outdoor dining materials. For more information and to apply for Dining Out NYC, visit nyc.gov/DiningOut.