The Department of Buildings, Department of Consumer Affairs and Fire Department allow restaurants with DCA-licensed sidewalk cafés to install approved portable natural gas heaters.

To install portable natural gas heaters, you need to receive approval from the Department of Buildings to install both the heater and its accompanying hardware. To operate the heaters, you must receive an open flame permit from the Fire Department. Restaurant staff must hold a Certificate of Fitness (#G-93), which allows them to be responsible for supervision of the heater.