Dining areas placed on the public sidewalk are permitted by the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) under the Dining Out NYC program. While DOT is the official permitting agency, Community Board 12 Manhattan (CB12M) plays a key advisory role by reviewing proposals and making recommendations. This guide will help you prepare your application, present it to CB12M, and understand the process for operating a sidewalk cafe in CB12M.
STEP 1: PREPARE YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS
Before presenting at a committee meeting, you must submit a complete application to CB12M. The following documents are required:
- Site Plan (drawn to scale): Show café layout, sidewalk clearances, and building frontage.
- Photos of the existing sidewalk and restaurant frontage
- Renderings or Sketches of the proposed café setup
- Business Information: Restaurant name and address; Contact person name, phone number, and email; Proposed number of tables and seats; Proposed operating hours
- SLA 30-Day Notice Expansion onto Municipal Property Form: Required for businesses serving alcohol, indicating sidewalk extension
- Letter of intent (Optional but encouraged): A brief statement describing how the café supports community needs and DOT rules
- CB12M Questionnaire (Word Version | PDF Version): Provided by CB12M; must be completed and returned
- Proof of Posting: CB12M will provide public notices. You must post these at your establishment during the review period.
STEP 2: PRESENT TO THE COMMUNITY BOARD
Your application will be reviewed by the Licensing Committee of CB12M. You will be scheduled to attend a public meeting to present your proposal.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Presentation: Provide a brief 5–10 minute overview.
Discussion: Be prepared to answer questions about:
- Sidewalk clearance
- ADA access
- Sanitation/maintenance
- Noise or neighborhood impacts
Outcome: CB12M will vote on a resolution recommending approval, conditional approval, or disapproval. This is forwarded to DOT as part of your application record.
Reminder: Bring physical copies if attending in person, and email digital files in advance as instructed by CB12M.
FINAL NOTES FOR APPLICANTS
Know your block: Be aware of your block’s issues, neighbors, and pedestrian traffic.
Engage Early: Reach out to nearby residents, block associations, or Business Improvement Districts (BIDs).
Be Responsive: Quickly follow up with requested edits, clarifications, or missing documents.