Outdoor Street Dining

Updated April 1, 2024

This program is intended to create business opportunities, vibrant community spaces and foot traffic to downtown and Monroe Avenue. The City manages 1499 parking spaces in and adjacent to downtown and 75 parking spaces in and adjacent to Monroe Avenue. Street dining typically uses a small percentage of available parking.

Program Highlights:

• The 2024 program is available from May 1, 2024 to October 31, 2024
• The program is available to restaurants. Sidewalk sales and similar events have a different permitting process through the Public Works Department.
• Up to three (3) parking spaces can be used. A fourth parking space, which cannot be used for dining, may be required as a buffer from parked vehicles in some locations. Businesses must cover the cost of any required buffer parking spaces.
• Dining areas need to be ADA accessible.
• Tents and heaters are not permitted.
• Additional safety features may be required based on location.
• Maximum spaces per block. In total, the number of parking spaces dedicated to this program shall be limited to a maximum of 50% of a block face (one side of a block). If the sum of requested street space exceeds this standard, the operating area for each outdoor dining area may be reduced proportionally for each permitee.
• Farmers' Market Area Applications in the boundary of the Farmers' Market (First Street and adjacent blocks of Monroe, and Jackson Avenues) will need to be submitted by April 15, 2024 so that requests can be balanced within that area. City staff will seek to accommodate all requests. When space conflicts arise within the traditional boundary of the Farmers' Market (First Street and the adjacent block of Monroe), preference will be given to the Farmers' Market. Businesses that submit an application after April 15 may be required to remove outdoor dining equipment during Farmers' Market hours.

Update:

See the updated program document below. In summary setback requirements from automobile travel lanes and parking spaces have been reduced from two feet to one foot. A six-inch setback to marked bicycle lanes is required (example: Monroe Avenue). Setbacks are intended to prevent encroachment into travel lanes and provide some separation between uses for safety purposes. The fence height maximum has been increased from 48 inches to 56 inches to accommodate more of the set-ups from previous years. In some instances, potential safety issues may require a setback that exceeds the minimum requirement or shorter fence segments.

More information about the program can be found in the 2024 Outdoor Dining Program Document and Application.

Fees:

Fees consist of an application fee and street space fee. The application fee is paid at the time of application. The street space fee is paid when the permit is ready to be picked up.

• Application Fee: $100
• Street Space Fee:
  • $200 per parking space for the season and/or
  • $1 per square foot of street space that is not in a typical parking space. Examples include loading areas, motorcycle spaces, corner areas, etc.

Fees are the same whether a business uses street space for the full 2024 season or just part of the season. Based on the proposed location of the dining set up, a buffer space may be required between the dining area and adjacent parking. The buffer space is intended to minimize vehicle exhaust in the dining area. If a space is required, the business is responsible for paying the street space fee for that area.

How to Apply:

Starting on April 15, we will be accepting applications to allow outdoor dining in the right of way beginning on May 1, 2024, until October 31, 2024. The program will be administered by Development Services at City Hall, located at 501 SW Madison Ave. The Development Services Division can be reached at development.services@corvallisoregon.gov or by calling (541) 766- 6929.

The Sidewalk Café Program is a separate program. More information can be found here.