L.A Al Fresco

The LADOT reviews the following criteria to determine if you are eligible for on-street dining 

Travel Lanes

• Curbside Dining is allowed on streets with up to two travel lanes in each direction.
• Parking Lane Dining is allowed on streets with up to three travel lanes in each direction.
• Left turn lanes, right turn lanes, or center turning lanes are not considered travel lanes for this requirement.

Speed Limit

• Curbside Dining is allowed on streets with a speed limit up to 30 MPH.  Please refer to this map to see if your street qualifies.  In some instances, LADOT may conditionally allow Curbside Dining on streets with a speed limit of 35 MPH if there is a greater distance from the outer edge of the Curbside Dining area to the outer lane line of the nearest travel lane, or if the location is on a block that has speed tables.
• Parking Lane Dining is only allowed on streets with a speed limit of 35 MPH. 
• Left turn lanes, right turn lanes, or center turning lanes are not considered travel lanes for this requirement.
• Streets with a speed limit above 35 MPH will not be approved for any form of on-street dining.

Bicycle Lanes

• On-street dining is allowed on streets with standard (Class II) bicycle lanes and shared (Class III) bicycle lanes, where parking is directly adjacent to the curb. The dining area cannot block or encroach the bicycle lane. On-street dining is not allowed on streets with a protected (Class IV) bicycle lane, where the bicycle lane is directly adjacent to the curb.

Curb Markings

• On-street dining is permitted in marked, unmarked, and metered parking spaces along the curb. Businesses who wish to use yellow curb (commercial loading), white curb (passenger loading), and green curb (short-term parking) must obtain written agreement from the majority of the businesses on the block face in order to use these curb areas for an on-street dining.
  • Exception: Businesses with existing L.A. Al Fresco Temporary Use Authorizations will have this requirement waived if LADOT has received no complaints regarding the use of these colored curb zones.
• LADOT will not approve on-street dining in accessible parking zones (blue curbs) . In most cases, LADOT will not approve an on-street dining area in red curbs, however, LADOT may approve if the red curb does not impose on visibility and safety.

Unpermitted Zones

• In almost all cases, on-street dining will not be approved in the following zones:
  • Electric vehicle charging stations, shared vehicle parking spaces (i.e. BlueLA), motorcycle or dockless mobility parking zones on the street, public alleys, taxi stands, valet zones and streets with existing farmers’ markets (except with written permission from the market manager)
• In all cases, on-street dining will not be approved in the following zones:
  • Vehicle travel lanes, bus-only lanes, bus stops, peak-hour travel lanes, tow-away no-stopping zones, and tow-away no parking zones, existing marked and unmarked pedestrian crossings, accessible parking stalls, access aisles, and associated accessible routes
• To provide adequate access to public and private utilities, LADOT will generally not approve on-street dining over storm drain grates, utility access panels, maintenance holes, transformers, water meters, or water valves.

Width

• If the street has marked parking spaces or edge line striping, the on-street dining area must be fully contained within the marked lines. If the parallel parking spaces are not marked, the allowable width will typically be between seven (7) to eight (8) feet, with an exact width to be determined by LADOT. Deviations from these rules are subject to LADOT approval. 

Length 

• Curbside Dining areas have a minimum length of approximately one parking space but are typically approved at a length of two parking spaces, or approximately 40 feet. Curbside Dining in angled parking spaces will typically be approved at a length equivalent to two parking spaces. Curbside Dining areas that extend beyond two spaces may be approved if the additional parking spaces are not metered, and if they are in the business’s frontage. 
  • Exception: Businesses with existing L.A. Al Fresco Temporary Use Authorizations that have three or more metered parking spaces will be allowed to continue using them if LADOT has received no complaints regarding insufficient parking on the block. 
• The length of the Curbside Dining area must be at least partially in front of the business frontage and cannot be entirely in the frontage of neighboring properties. If a parking space of a Curbside Dining area extends into more than 50% of the neighboring properties frontage, written agreement from that business is required.
  • Exception: Businesses with existing L.A. Al Fresco Temporary Use Authorizations for Curbside Dining will have this requirement waived if LADOT has received no complaints from impacted neighboring businesses.
• Parking Lane Dining has a minimum length of 60 feet, or three parking spaces, not including the required crash cushion barrier, and has a maximum length of all parking spaces on a single block face. If any non-food and beverage serving establishments are within the proposed footprint of the the Parking Lane Dining area and will be impacted by the project, the applicant/sponsor must provide written permission from each impacted business owner or must otherwise obtain approval from the local Council Office.
  • Exception: Businesses with existing L.A. Al Fresco Temporary Use Authorizations for Parking Lane Dining will have this requirement waived if LADOT has not received complaints from other establishments on the block that have had parking removed.
• Businesses must fully utilize each parking space allocated to them. LADOT will not approve a partial amount of any marked parking space. 

Setbacks & Visibility

• On-street dining areas have the following setback requirements:
  • A 15-foot setback from fire hydrants is always required
  • LADOT will typically require at least a 15-foot setback from the nearest intersection or marked/unmarked pedestrian crossing (typically, designated by a red curb marking), although all setback requirements are subject to LADOT approval
  • If the business is adjacent to an alley or driveway, a setback up to the length of one parking space may be required to maintain visibility
  • LADOT may prohibit certain businesses near intersections or driveways from having vertical posts or fixed shade coverings that may limit visibility.
  • Note: Businesses with existing L.A. Al Fresco Temporary Use Authorizations must meet the above requirements prior to the issuance of an R-Permit.
• Businesses should have windows and/or doorways that allow for sight lines to the on-street dining area from inside the business. On-street dining areas that are not visible from inside the business will be subject to LADOT approval.

Minimum Use Requirements

• Businesses must meet the following minimum use requirements as on-street dining areas permanently remove public parking spaces on a block.
  • Businesses must be open at least the majority of the week, which will be verified by LADOT in advance. Exception: Businesses with existing L.A. Al Fresco Temporary Use Authorizations that are not open the majority of the week will have this requirement waived if LADOT has not received complaints about the business and/or their operating hours. 
  • The on-street dining area must be used as primary seating areas rather than as overflow seating. On-street dining areas cannot be used only seasonally, only during special events, or only during peak business hours.  
    The on-street dining area should be open and available for use during most of the business’s hours. 
  • The business must fully use the on-street dining area within the first 30 days of installation. 
  • If a business is having temporary staffing issues that prevent them from using the on-street dining area for a period of time, the business must communicate this to LADOT.

The operational rules for on-street dining will be enforced by StreetsLA’s Investigation and Enforcement Division. Warnings or fines may be issued for non-compliance and permit violations may result in revocation of the permit. If a permit is revoked, the permittee shall remove all encroachments at no cost to the City and restore the public   
right-of-way to the satisfaction of the City. The operational rules for on-street dining will apply to all new and existing participants upon issuance of their R-Permit.

Minimum Standards

• The R-Permit certificate shall be posted on the businesses storefront and made clearly visible to the public at all times 
• Businesses shall not exceed the seating limit approved and listed on the R-Permit 
• The City reserves the right to revoke the permit at any time for any reason 
• Permits and furnishings cannot be automatically transferred to a new business. If the restaurant changes ownership, a new permit will be required 
• The on-street dining area shall not be modified from the approved conditions and plan without written approval by the City. Any unapproved modifications may result in the revocation of a permit 
• All furnishings and equipment shall be placed within the approved footprint of the on-street dining area and cannot be stored in adjacent parking spaces or red curbed areas 
• The dining area shall comply with requirements and guidelines from the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Public Health, the Americans with Disabilities Act, California Building Code, and all others as applicable 
• The dining area shall be always maintained in a clean and orderly manner. All food or drink spills, and trash of any kind, must be immediately removed from the dining area 
• Nightly cleaning of the premises, outdoor seating areas, and adjoining sidewalk areas are required to ensure they are free of debris and litter
• Private dining trash must be collected and deposited in private trash receptacles, not placed in public trash receptacles 
• Alcoholic beverages may only be served in the public right-of-way with the approval from the Department of City Planning and the California Department of Alcohol and Beverage Control. Businesses must abide by the alcohol service standards specified in the Los Angeles Municipal Code Section 12.21 A.24
• Outdoor dining areas shall operate no later than 10:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 11:00 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays if abutting or across an alley from a residential zone, not including the RAS zone. If the outdoor dining area is not abutting or across an alley from a residential zone, then the Outdoor Dining Area is subject to any applicable hours limitation imposed by law, discretionary action, or previously issued permit 
• Access must be maintained to city assets, including but not limited to, bike racks, streetlight posts, trees, utilities, public furniture, and parking meters. Generally, a four (4) foot clearance should be provided 
• All Outdoor Dining areas shall be maintained so they are accessible to people with disabilities in accordance with state and federal regulations. 
• The noise levels of the Outdoor Dining Area shall not exceed the standards set forth in the Noise Ordinance 
• The business must continue to meet the minimum use requirements for on-street dining
• Music, speakers, live entertainment including but not limited to disc jockeys, karaoke, dancing, pool tables, billiard tables, and adult entertainment uses are prohibited 
• Television monitors and screens are prohibited 
• Private events with cover charges within the outdoor dining area 
• Smoking in or near the outdoor dining area in accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code, Section 41.50.B 
• Items other than food or beverages shall not be sold within the outdoor dining area 
• Food preparation is not permitted within the outdoor dining area
• Generators are prohibited in the outdoor dining area or as a source of electricity for equipment in the outdoor dining area 
• No advertising of any kind is permitted in the public right-of-way in accordance with the Los Angeles Municipal Code, Section 67.02.

Additional Responsibilities 

• Agreeing to defend, indemnify, and hold the City of Los Angeles harmless for any loss or liability, including but not limited to, damage or injury related to the outdoor dining encroachment 
• Uploading general liability insurance that meets the City’s requirements annually onto Kwikcomply.org 
  Removing and re-installing furniture, decorations, equipment, and structures (at the sole cost of the business) if directed by the City for utility or construction work, or in the case of an emergency. Ensuring there is adequate storage space for such items and having a plan in place for storage 
• Upon permanent closure of the business or ceased use of an outdoor dining area, the permittee shall be responsible for removing all items in the outdoor dining area at the permittee’s expense and return the public right-of-way to its original condition 
• Ensuring that equipment is tied down or put away at night and during storms or high winds so that equipment does not get lost, stolen, moved, or blown away 
• Furnishings and equipment may remain in the dining area outside of business hours unless otherwise specified by LADOT. The City is not responsible for vandalism, theft, or misuse. It is the permittee’s sole risk to leave personal property in the dining area 
• Notifying the City immediately of any accidents or other incidents that have caused or may cause injury to people or outdoor dining equipment, and any claim for injury, death, property damage, or theft 
• For businesses with existing barriers and umbrellas provided by LADOT, the business is responsible for maintaining, moving, removing, and replacing all equipment upon issuance of the R-Permit 
• Ensuring all water barriers are completely filled with water at all times