Outdoor Dining Program
We are committed to supporting and growing Boston’s restaurants through the 2023 Outdoor Dining Program.
Building on Boston’s ongoing commitment to supporting restaurants, the Outdoor Dining Program will continue many successful initiatives from previous years. These include permitting, outdoor patios on roadways, and an online application portal. We'll also add new features, like outdoor dining consultations, accessible design templates, real-time application tracking, and annual license renewals.
The Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion has the tools and expertise to help restaurants expand their seating capacity with outdoor dining patios. Interested in expanding your restaurant to have outdoor seating?
Please review the 2023 Permanent Outdoor Dining Guidance before applying! Once you are ready to apply, fill out the application form or email us at outdoordining@boston.gov and a member of our outdoor dining team will contact you.
Temporary Outdoor Dining End Date
Licensees operating temporary patios on-street public patios must cease operations of on-street temporarily licensed patios by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, as stated on your temporary permit.
The City of Boston has agreed to allow additional time for all licensees to fully dismantle on-street temporarily licensed patios by 5 p.m. on Monday, November 14, 2023. All furniture, barriers, and other installations or equipment associated with the temporary dining setup must be disassembled and removed by that date and time. Any on-street patios remaining after Monday, November 14, 2023 will no longer be within the city's guidelines and may be subject to an administrative hearing.
Please note:
- All overdue payments for patios on public property must be paid by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 31, 2023.
- Sidewalk and private property patios are still approved to operate until further notice.
- The City reserves the right to require removal of on-street patios in the event of an impending snow storm, declared snow emergency, or other emergency event. If your on-street patio cannot be easily removed within 48 hours notice, we strongly advise you dismantle your on-street temporarily licensed patios by Tuesday, October 31, 2023. In particular, licensees using jersey barriers for on-street temporary patios should strongly consider scheduling disassembly and removal by October 31, 2023.
Overview of Outdoor Dining Program
The 2023 Permanent Outdoor Dining Program will begin on May 1, 2023. Apply by accessing the application portal.
How to Submit an Outdoor Dining Application
Please note: The City of Boston will not be reviewing or permitting on street outdoor dining applications in the North End for the 2023 outdoor dining season.
If you are approved for permanent outdoor dining, you may deploy your outdoor dining patio at that time. Once the portal opens, you will be able upload a picture of your complete patio set up and stay up-to-date on your application status. For any additional questions, please email us at outdoordining@boston.gov.
Objectives of the program:
- Update the pre-COVID-19 process to reflect the current needs for the 2023 Outdoor Dining Program by implementing a new application platform
- Keep majority of the temporary guidelines for the permanent program based upon critical updates and lessons learned from the previous years of outdoor dining
- Implement new guidelines that focus on accessibility and public safety
- Create a new community process for businesses, residents, and neighborhood groups
- Increasing the participation rate in neighborhoods that are underrepresented
North End Task Force
The City of Boston is committed to stewarding a robust permanent outdoor dining program. To do that, it is important that all voices are heard and that stakeholder concerns are addressed.
To help the Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion stand up a robust and inclusive outdoor dining program, the City will use this season to assemble a North End On-Street Outdoor Dining Task Force. The task force will be made up of North End residents and business owners. They will determine how these issues could be remedied in future iterations of the permanent outdoor dining program.
Interested in being a member of the North End On-Street Outdoor Dining Task Force? Please fill out this form. Only serious inquiries will be considered. Please note: Applications are due on Friday, March 24th.
Map of Outdoor Dining Locations
Fees
Fees are only required for patios on public property for temporary and permanent approvals. We are not charging for patios on private property.
The fee structure is $199 per month for licensees with a Common Victualler (no alcohol) and $399 per month for licensees with a Common Victualler with alcohol (includes Malt, Wine, Breweries, Cordials, Liqueurs, and All Alcohol licenses).
The total fee for the season will be owed beginning in June for patio operation between June 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023. The fee is waived for the month of May. Licensees who are approved will be contacted when the payment portal is available. Licensees who do not pay may have their patio permits revoked. The City assumes no responsibility, financial or otherwise, for rentals or purchases made for the patio extensions.
