The city instituted the outdoor dining program in 2020 under the administration of Adams’ predecessor, Bill de Blasio, to assist the struggling restaurant industry during the height of the pandemic. Restaurants were allowed to build dining structures on the roads outside of the restaurant and install tables on the sidewalk, allowing diners to eat outside as the Covid-19 pandemic compelled city officials to place restrictions and capacity limits on indoor dining.
“The temporary program saved 100,000 jobs, kept restaurants afloat during the peak of the pandemic, and brought new energy and excitement to our streets and sidewalks,” Adams said in a statement. “But it wasn’t perfect — too many sheds were abandoned and left to rot and too few lived up to our vision of what our streets should look like.” Restaurants will also need a license for all outdoor dining structures and will need to now pay a fee based on location and square footage, the bill says.