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California

These resources – like the public health crisis itself – are constantly evolving and are only current as to the date of publication. This page was last updated on September 25, 2020.

For more up-to-date information on the relief programs available in California, we recommend that you visit the Secretary of State's website or the California COVID-19 portal.

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Description of Program and Relief

Free Outdoor Dining Permits Through L.A. Al Fresco

The City of Los Angeles, through L.A. Al Fresco, aims to help local businesses reopen and allow customers and employees to maintain physical distancing, by temporarily relaxing the rules that regulate outdoor dining. The program temporarily authorizes no-cost outdoor dining and street vending for 1) on-street dining (e.g., curbside, closed streets) and 2) sidewalk and expanded outdoor private property dining (e.g., private parking lots, street parking spaces or parklets). L.A. Al Fresco provides 90-day permits to local restaurants and vendors with no limits on renewals.

L.A. Al Fresco will also provide barricades, planters, and umbrellas for eligible businesses in newly permitted spaces. Participating businesses will gain access to pro bono architectural and landscape design services to help them adapt their operations and aesthetics to these new outdoor dining areas. Fifty-five percent of program resources will be directed to BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) businesses or businesses located in areas that have experienced disproportionate job loss due to COVID-19.

Online application links for outdoor dining permits can be found here (available in English and Spanish).

Government or Lead Agency

City of Los Angeles, Department of Transportation (LADOT)

Dates Available

Currently available through December 31, 2020, unless further amended.

Eligibility Requirements/Restrictions

Available to all qualified restaurants and permitted sidewalk food vendors and food trucks in the City of Los Angeles.

L.A. Al Fresco covers the following two categories of outdoor dining, each of which has different eligibility requirements and application processes: (1) sidewalk dining and expanded outdoor private property dining; and (2) curbside and on-street dining. For official guidance about the eligibility requirements and who is best suited for each type of dining, please see the L.A. Al Fresco Manual (English, Spanish, Korean, or Japanese).

Application Deadlines (If Applicable)

N/A

Contact for More Information

For more information, contact LADOT at (213) 972-8470 or alfresco@lacity.org.

List of Additional Information

L.A. Al Fresco information website (including answers to frequently asked questions)

LA Al Fresco: Sidewalk Dining Program Rules and Guidelines

Mayor's Press Release

L.A. Al Fresco webinar

CBS Los Angeles new article about extension of L.A. Al Fresco through the end of 2020.

More information on LADOT's COVID-19 response is available at https://ladot.lacity.org/coronavirus.


© 2021 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. This does not constitute legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions, this publication may be considered attorney advertising. Past representations are no guarantee of future outcomes.

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