Application Process 

The new Street Seats program will replace a rolling application process with limited application windows, to allow the Transportation Bureau to evaluate applications together, identifying potential conflicts between applicants. Interested businesses should plan on meeting an initial application deadline of May 1, 2013. The approval of the property owner is required. At this time applications from the downtown core (from Burnside to SW Harrison, SW 10th to SW 2nd) won’t be permitted.

Public Process 

Transportation Bureau will screen applications for eligibility and completeness. PBOT will notify relevant neighborhood and business associations of pending eligible applications. Applicants are responsible for notifying their directly neighboring businesses, and, while not required, letters of support from those businesses will strengthen the application. The permit issued will be valid for a year and will be reviewed annually, should there be issues with safety, maintenance, cleanliness or noise.

Design 

Design guidelines from the pilot program will be carried forward with the following additions: To increase safety and visibility of installations, planters or weighted bollard on either end of the installation will be required. Wheel stops with embedded reflective candlesticks will also be required on either end of the installation. The platforms must provide a continuous barrier along the street-facing perimeter while maintaining clear visual sightlines to the street. Finally, the use of durable materials capable of withstanding year-round use will be required. Full design guidelines are posted online.

Public Street Seat Option 

Mirrored on similar programs in San Francisco, the new Street Seat program will include a public Street Seat option for an entity (business, church, neighborhood association, non-profit, etc) interested in providing a platform as a public space but not interested in providing table service or serving alcohol. These public Street Seats must be signed as such, and have a sponsor willing to add the facility to their liability insurance and to clean and maintain it.

Permit Fees 

Eligible applicants will be charged a $500 permit fee plus $105 per linear foot of right of way. This would result in an annual fee of $2,600 for 20ft platform ($500 + $105x20ft). Businesses will also be responsible for securing a Café Seating permit if they do not already hold one. If the platform is to be located in a metered parking space, the applicant will be responsible for lost meter revenue. Public Street Seats will not incur the linear foot charge, nor will they be required to hold Café Seating permits.