Temporary outdoor dining permits are now available for restaurants in unincorporated Los Angeles County at no cost, enabling eating establishments to dine “alfresco.”

Restaurants have been deeply impacted economically by the COVID-19 pandemic. As Los Angeles County moves towards recovery, physical distancing measures may continue to prevent restaurants from operating at full capacity, according to the County. 

“For this industry, every table matters,” County officials said. 

The County has developed the COVID-19 Temporary Outdoor Dining Program for restaurants in unincorporated Los Angeles County that are interested in expanding dining seating into private walkways and parking facilities and the County road right-of-way, including public sidewalks, alleys, streets and parking spaces, according to the Department of Public Works. 

Additionally, restaurants may apply to have curbsides designated as a time-limit parking zone to encourage parking turnover where food pickup is in demand, according to the County. 

Restaurant owners may apply to Public Works to receive a no-fee, temporary permit to utilize the sidewalk adjacent to their restaurant for outdoor dining services.

Owners are eligible for this temporary permit if their restaurant is located in an unincorporated County community and adjacent to a sidewalk maintained by Public Works, according to the County. 

The City of Santa Clarita also has a program for restaurants within City limits. 

See Related: Santa Clarita Introduces ‘Eat Local’ Program Featuring Local Restaurants With Expanding Services

Through the City’s Temporary Use Permits issued to qualified restaurants under the Eat Local Program, restaurants throughout the community will have the opportunity to expand their activities into their retail center’s private sidewalks and parking lots.

“The new Eat Local Program will provide greater safety for diners and more service flexibility for the Santa Clarita restaurants who need customers now more than ever,” said City officials. 

Owners can submit a site plan to the City’s Planning team, and can be issued a Temporary Use Permit at no cost. This temporary measure is intended to remain in place while restaurants indoor occupancy is limited due to the COVID-19 crisis.

As a part of the Temporary Use Permit process, staff reviews site plans, write conditions regarding public safety, other agency clearances, limiting noise and loitering and will approve over the Permit Counter.

Restaurants participating in the Eat Local Program must continue to follow the Los Angeles County health guidelines and are responsible for working with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, and the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, as necessary to receive any required permits.

For more information on the City of Santa Clarita program, contact Jason Crawford by email at jcrawford@santa-clarita.com.

Information on the unincorporated Los Angeles County program can be found here. 

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