New York City's outdoor dining program set to undergo a major overhaul after years of criticism. In an effort to address complaints from restaurant owners and community groups, City Council Speaker Julie Menin has vowed to reform the program.
At the heart of the proposed changes are plans to allow restaurants to establish permanent "sheds" in streets 365 days a year, rather than being subject to seasonal shutdowns. This move is seen as a significant shift from the current system, which requires businesses to dismantle their structures during the winter months.
Menin's comments came after years of political wrangling over the outdoor dining program. Introduced initially as a pandemic emergency measure, it has since become a year-round fixture in New York City streets, with many restaurants relying on them for business. However, this has also led to complaints about noise, rats, and lost parking spaces.
In 2024, former Mayor Eric Adams imposed new rules and fees on the program, which sparked immediate backlash from business owners. The new regulations required businesses to apply for permission and face annual costs for structure installation and dismantling.
Despite these hurdles, advocates have continued to push for changes, with Councilmember Lincoln Restler introducing a bill in October aimed at reviving the year-round program. Menin was a co-sponsor of the legislation, which would need to be reintroduced this term but is seen as a positive step towards reform.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also expressed support for a permanent outdoor dining setup. Industry leaders are cautiously optimistic about the prospect of reforming the program in a way that balances business needs with community concerns.
Restaurant owners have welcomed Menin's comments, praising her willingness to address long-standing issues with the program. "We look forward to working with the Council to ensure the program is reformed in a fair and sustainable manner," said Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance.
At the heart of the proposed changes are plans to allow restaurants to establish permanent "sheds" in streets 365 days a year, rather than being subject to seasonal shutdowns. This move is seen as a significant shift from the current system, which requires businesses to dismantle their structures during the winter months.
Menin's comments came after years of political wrangling over the outdoor dining program. Introduced initially as a pandemic emergency measure, it has since become a year-round fixture in New York City streets, with many restaurants relying on them for business. However, this has also led to complaints about noise, rats, and lost parking spaces.
In 2024, former Mayor Eric Adams imposed new rules and fees on the program, which sparked immediate backlash from business owners. The new regulations required businesses to apply for permission and face annual costs for structure installation and dismantling.
Despite these hurdles, advocates have continued to push for changes, with Councilmember Lincoln Restler introducing a bill in October aimed at reviving the year-round program. Menin was a co-sponsor of the legislation, which would need to be reintroduced this term but is seen as a positive step towards reform.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has also expressed support for a permanent outdoor dining setup. Industry leaders are cautiously optimistic about the prospect of reforming the program in a way that balances business needs with community concerns.
Restaurant owners have welcomed Menin's comments, praising her willingness to address long-standing issues with the program. "We look forward to working with the Council to ensure the program is reformed in a fair and sustainable manner," said Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance.
. I mean, have you seen these streets? It's like a construction site 24/7! And don't even get me started on the rats... or is that just part of the charm? 
I guess some people will see it as progress, but I'm not buying it. Those "sheds" are just gonna be overpriced and annoying for everyone else. And what about all the noise complaints? Are they really gonna get addressed? 
It's just another way to nickel-and-dime small business owners, if you ask me...
! I mean, who doesn't love the idea of getting rid of those annoying seasonal shutdowns? It's been a pain for restaurants to have to dismantle their setups every winter, and it's crazy how that could've been avoided from the start. Now we're talking about permanent sheds that can stay open all year round - genius! 
And I love how Menin is willing to listen to business owners and community groups. It's not just about pleasing one side, but finding a balance. Let's hope this reform goes smoothly and restaurants get the support they need. Less noise, less rats, and more parking spots? Yes, please! 
. And yeah, rats and noise are huge issues too... it's about time someone listens to the businesses and community groups who've been complaining about it for years 
. I'm not sure if permanent sheds are gonna be a good idea tho - some ppl might say they'll make streets look all cluttered and ugly 
. But hey, at least we're moving in the right direction! 
NYC streets are supposed 2 b for people not just restaurants!! them sheds r just gonna be noise pollution & rats 4eva 
can't even park no more! but at least now council speaker Julie Menin is listenin 
& makin moves. permanent outdoor dining gotta b a thing, less seasonal shutdowns, yeah that's the ticket 
Andrew Rigie from NYC Hospitality Alliance is right on point, reform needs 2 happen, business & community balance 4eva 
. I'm also low-key excited that the city is finally listening to the community's concerns - no more noise, rats, and lost parking spaces 
. It's about time they made some adjustments to make this program work for everyone 
. Those seasonal shutdowns are a nightmare, not only for businesses but also for the community who loves trying out new spots. Let's just imagine being able to grab a coffee or dinner in the streets of Manhattan 365 days a year 
... it's gonna be lit! The fact that Councilmember Restler and Menin are pushing for this change is super encouraging 
. I swear, I saw one crawling under my table at Cafe Grumpy last semester... anyway, if they're gonna reform the program, can we please just make it so that restaurants have more space to expand and less restrictions on how long they can stay open? That would be a dream come true for students like me who need a study spot that's not too crazy 
.
I'm not surprised the outdoor dining program is getting a revamp... it's been a hot mess for years 
. I hope restaurant owners and the city can find a balance between business and community concerns... it's not too much to ask, right? 
. I mean, can't they just get it right for once? Back in my day (lol), we used to have real patios that didn't take over the whole sidewalk! And don't even get me started on the noise and rats... it's like a never-ending nightmare 
.
. I'm glad Council Speaker Julie Menin is taking a proactive approach to addressing these issues 
those seasonal shutdowns were always a pain for restaurants. But at the same time, permanent sheds 365 days a year sounds like a recipe for disaster - what about all the street congestion and noise pollution? 
Where's the data on how much money is being lost or gained due to these changes?
? they're always strutting around, like they own the place, and people just feed them without even a second thought 
anyway back to NYC outdoor dining... i mean who needs rules when u got a solid business model like that? restaurants make bank off those seasonal closures lol what's next, permanent food carts in central park? 
... I mean, who thought it was a good idea to have restaurants in streets 365 days a year? It's like they're trying to turn Times Square into a permanent food fest 
Now we'll just have to wait and see if Menin can deliver on her promises without making us all go crazy