Expanded Outdoor Dining Options for Downtown Restaurants: Sidewalk Café and On-Street Dining Platform Program

There are two outdoor dining options: Sidewalk Cafés and an On-Street Dining Platform Program. Only approved dining platforms will be allowed to utilize on-street parking for expanded outdoor dining.

Sidewalk Café

Food and Beverage businesses that are interested in placing tables and chairs on the sidewalk will need to ensure they are complying with the Sidewalk Cafe' design and layout guidelines. 

Dining Platforms in On-Street Parking Spaces

Businesses interested in a platform in on-street parking spaces to expand outdoor dining capacity need:

• A Platform plan that meets our Platform Guidelines
• An application or renewal application for a revocable license to use on-street parking for outdoor dining.
• An approved Revocable License, signed by the property owner and Public Works Director.
• Payment of the Dining Platform application fee and Dining Platform Parking Space License fee.

Dining Platform fees are available in the current Public Works Fee Schedule.

Dining Platform policies

• No more than six percent (6%) of the downtown on-street parking inventory can be utilized by platforms at any one time.
• No more than four (4) spaces per food/beverage business is to be used for platform.
• Food/beverage businesses must be located on the ground floor of a building, adjacent to the dining platform.
• Food/beverage businesses must be open for at least two (2) meals per day, five (5) days per week.
• Only food/beverage businesses located within the downtown parking district are eligible for this program.

Applications can be sent to developmentservices@cityofsalem.net and will be processed in the order received.

The Riverfront Downtown Urban Renewal Area's Open For Business Grant Program may be able to assist with potential costs associated with the dining platforms.