Santa Monica Permanent Outdoor Dining Program Approved

SANTA MONICA, CA — The Santa Monica City Council approved a permanent program to allow local businesses to convert curbside parking spaces into sidewalk dining.

The Santa Monica Outdoors Parklet Program will go into effect Oct. 1, 2022. It will build off of the success of the pandemic-era program, in which over 90 businesses participated, and over 80 percent of residents and businesses said they wanted to continue in a city survey.

The permanent program includes a streamlined review and permit process, and provides standards on safety, lighting, landscaping, and neighbor outreach.

Starting Oct. 1:

• Businesses will pay $2.12 per square foot to use space in the public right of way for outdoor activities.
• Businesses will be allowed to use up to two parking spaces, and will be required to comply with safety standards by Jan. 1, 2023.

Businesses with a temporary permit will be notified about program changes by Sep. 1, and apply for a permit by Sep. 15. Businesses without a permanent permit will be required to remove parklets by Sep. 30.

“The Santa Monica Outdoors Program has been a critical resource to keep businesses open in Santa Monica throughout the pandemic and has been loved and utilized by business owners and patrons alike,” Santa Monica Mayor Sue Himmelrich said in a statement. “We are excited to support a permanent program that will allow businesses to continue outdoor activations Citywide.”

See here to learn more about the parklets program.