Open Storefronts

Any ground floor storefront business predominantly involved in the sale of goods and/or services directly to the public. Businesses engaged in retail trade (i.e. clothing and equipment stores, retail food stores, health and personal care stores), food service, repair stores, personal care services, and dry-cleaning and laundry services are able to use the space for seating, queuing, or display and sale of goods. The program also allows businesses to sell packaged food on sidewalks and for restaurants to use sidewalks for take-out or delivery operations.

A “ground floor storefront” business is a business which is directly accessible from the street and has store frontage on the sidewalk.

• May erect temporary signage (i.e. A-frames), display goods, complete transactions, place seating and ropes/stanchions, conduct promotional activities, and place collapsible umbrellas and tents in eligible sidewalk areas and in roadway areas as part of Open Streets Temporary Full Closure corridors.
• May allow for outdoor drop off & pick up of customer purchases
• Food service establishments may use the outdoor area to support delivery & customer take-out operations
• May sell packaged food or drink in eligible sidewalk area in accordance with the NYC Health Code Article 81. Guidance for food service establishments participating in Open Storefronts available in NYC Health’s Checklist for Restaurants Participating in Open Storefronts (pdf)
• May not place equipment or appliances for food storage in outdoor area that require electricity, gas, or open flame
• No food preparation can be done outdoors
• May not place heaters in outdoor areas
• May sell only goods or packaged food outdoors, excluding items prohibited from outdoor sale (i.e. liquor, cigarettes/tobacco/e-cigarettes, pharmaceuticals, adult content)
• May not conduct personal services (i.e. haircuts, cosmetology) outdoors
• May only sell goods outdoors that a business is already licensed to sell indoors, or do not need a new license to sell
• Must abide by all existing permits and regulations that relate to product display, sales, and food safety
• Amplified sound is prohibited
• May not allow other businesses to use fronting sidewalk or roadway (for free or otherwise)
• The program also allows businesses to sell pre-packaged food on sidewalks and restaurants to use sidewalks for take-out orders
• May conduct eligible activities through September 30, 2021
• Must suspend all outdoor activities while a DSNY Snow Alert is in effect

All sidewalks in New York City wider than 8’ may be utilized by the Open Storefronts program in line with siting criteria.

All streets participating in the Open Streets Temporary Full Closure program may be utilized by the Open Storefronts program in line with siting criteria.

Yes! The Open Storefronts program has been expanded to allow restaurants and food service establishments to participate in Open Storefronts. Restaurants may wish to use the eligible outdoor area to support take-out or delivery operations (i.e. bike corrals, queuing area, order placement area, etc.) or to sell packaged food and drink directly to customers outside.

These changes were made to the Open Storefronts program so that food service establishments with delivery and take-out business models can implement public health best practice, and to help support safe recovery for food establishments who do not rely on table service (such as bakeries, coffee shops, food retail, etc.).

Open Storefronts program allows businesses to sell packaged food and drink outside directly to customers. All health code and food safety rules must be followed. The Department of Health has provided guidance to restaurants who wish to sell food/drink outside as a part of Open Storefronts (pdf). Please note that food must be packaged indoors, and no food preparation may occur outside. Businesses must maintain required food temperatures, and refrigerators and heating equipment are prohibited from being placed on the sidewalk. It is recommended to use ice coolers or thermal bags to keep food at the required temperature, and to check food temperature frequently.

Open Restaurants is focused on expanding outdoor seating options for food service establishments. Open Storefronts is focused on permitting eligible activities outdoors for many types of businesses to promote open space, enhance social distancing, and help businesses rebound in these difficult economic times.

Yes – food service establishments may concurrently in enroll in both the Open Storefronts program and Open Restaurant program. However, activities permitted under Open Storefronts program (i.e. the sale of packaged food) can only take place on the sidewalk. The roadway may only be used for seating.

For example, a restaurant may wish to sell coffee and packaged pastries outside on the sidewalk, and have table seating for dine-in guests on the roadway.

Establishments seeking to utilize additional public sidewalk for business operations must submit an online form at nyc.gov/openstorefronts and may commence once submitted.

It depends. If you’re a business that is involved in the sale of goods and/or services to the public, the entrance to the store is publicly accessible from the street, and the business frontage is only your business (i.e. not shared with other storefront business), you may participate in the Open Storefronts program, even if customers must descend stairs to enter your storefront. All siting criteria guidelines must still be followed.

No. All items and materials must be brought indoors when the business is closed. Items such as potted plants or benches may remain outside under existing rules (i.e. must be against the wall of the business or as close as possible).

Yes, if you have an existing stoop line stand license. Businesses may continue to use their stoop line stands under the terms and conditions of which their stoop line stand was issued. Stoop line stands do not need to be deconstructed and can remain in place when the business is closed.

No. Businesses may only use the sidewalk directly in front of their business, and cannot extend past the width of their storefront.

The Open Storefronts program does not allow for roadway use. However, if a business is located on a designated Open Streets Temporary Full Closure corridor, the business will have the option to use the sidewalk and/or roadway during the hours of the Open Streets Temporary Full Closure program.

The City does not charge any fees to apply to the program.

The City recommends you consult your insurance broker to make sure you have the appropriate coverage.

Open Storefronts may be in use:

• Mondays-Saturdays: 8am-11pm
• Sundays: 10am-11pm

However, businesses may only use the sidewalk during business hours.

Businesses may only use the sidewalk during the business’s hours of operation. If business hours are earlier and/or later than the hours permitted for Open Storefronts, then outdoor use must end by the permitted time. Open Storefronts hours are from 8am to 11pm on Monday through Saturday, and 10am to 11pm on Sunday.

For example, if a business opens at 9am on Sunday, the business may only use outdoor space starting at 10am. Conversely, if a business closes at 10pm, the business must discontinue use of the sidewalk at that time of close of business.

No. Businesses may not lease their outdoor area, whether for a fee or not, to another business. The business operating on the sidewalk must be the same business as the storefront directly in front of the sidewalk.

No, if your business is considered non-essential. Essential businesses may continue to participate in Open Storefronts. Business must follow the guidelines set by NY State and DOHMH.

Use of the sidewalk for permitted activities has been extended through the duration of the state of emergency.

The City will not remove nor relocate street furniture. Additionally, the establishment cannot remove any City property already installed on the sidewalk in front of their establishment. Such removal by the establishment may result in a fine.

Yes, provided lighting is not blinding to passing traffic and complies with NYC Fire Department Open Flame and other applicable Fire Codes.

No, you may only utilize the sidewalk space alongside your storefront up to five feet (5') from the property line. Eight feet (8’) is the MINIMUM requirement for a pedestrian pathway.

No, items and merchandise are only permitted directly adjacent to the building façade provided materials are no more than five feet (5') away from the property line and an eight foot (8’) clear path to the curb is maintained.

Add the length of both sides to answer Total Length (ft)*. Your width should be the same on either sides, so to answer Total Width (ft), use that footage.

Types of outdoor retail space which do not require NYC DOT approvals include:

• Privately owned outdoor space such as front yards, side yards, rear yards or courtyards
• Private parking lots