Future of Outdoor Dining (FOOD) Study
The County has initiated a study of current outdoor dining regulations and guidelines to provide restaurants in Arlington the opportunity to expand their outdoor dining space on both private and public property. Future engagement about the study will involve a broad range of Arlington’s community, including businesses, residents, and other stakeholders.
How to Participate
View an update on the FOOD Study - May 9, 2023 (PDF)
Temporary Outdoor Seating Areas (TOSAs) Overview
During the pandemic, the County took extraordinary measures to make it easier for restaurants and bars to expand operations outside. Temporary Outdoor Seating Areas (TOSAs) are newly created or expanded exterior spaces at restaurants, bars, or cafés. TOSAs were established to help restaurants and business establishments expand outdoor seating capacity during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially when indoor seating in restaurants was prohibited or limited. This included relief from some County zoning regulations and guidelines for private and the public right-of-way.
Existing TOSAs will be allowed to remain in place at least until August 2023 as County staff work with businesses and residents to develop new guidelines for the permanent program, which are expected to be completed by Spring 2023.
Learn more about Temporary Outdoor Seating Areas (TOSAs)
Permanent Outdoor Cafes
The Future of Outdoor Dining (FOOD) Study will examine which aspects of the more flexible TOSA program should be incorporated into Arlington’s existing approval pathways for permanent outdoor cafés:
- Outdoor cafés on private property are eligible for administrative approval per the Zoning Ordinance requirements.
- Outdoor cafés proposed within public rights-of-way (or other public spaces) require County Board special exception use permit approval.
Applicable guidelines and regulations for outdoor dining may vary based on these variables. Given the public interest, outdoor cafés in public rights-of-way generally face stricter requirements. This approach helps ensure sidewalks continue to serve mobility needs of the public or recreation needs of those enjoying public spaces and aims to protect other community interests and avoid adverse impacts.
The FOOD Study will look at lessons learned from the TOSA experience and identify recommended amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Outdoor Café Guidelines to strike an appropriate balance between commercial resiliency and public and community interest. Additionally, this study will identify and address other potential changes to how the use of public land for cafés may best be managed and seeks possible improvements to the approval processes.
Certificate of Occupancy building permits outline the requirements currently needed for a private outdoor café per the Zoning Ordinance. Learn more.
FOOD Study Principles
Public Process
County, community and commission meeting schedule
Date
|
Meeting
|
Materials
|
May 9 |
Zoning Committee |
Presentation |
May 25
June 29 |
Transportation Commission |
Presentation(PDF, 7MB) |
June 5 |
Pedestrian Advisory Committee |
Presentation(PDF, 7MB) |
June 6 |
Zoning Committee |
Memo
Presentation(PDF, 9MB)
|
June 7 |
Arlington Chamber of Commerce |
TBD |
June 10 |
County Board Meeting - RTA |
TBD |
June 13 |
Economic Development Commission |
TBD |
June 20 |
Park and Recreation Commission |
TBD |
July 3 |
Planning Commission |
TBD |
July 15 |
County Board |
TBD |
Letters Received
- National Landing Business Improvement District, Letter to Director of CPHD, November 7, 2022(PDF, 90KB)
- Arlington Chamber of Commerce, Letter to County Board, November 9, 2022(PDF, 45KB)
- Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW), Letter to County Manager, November 9, 2022(PDF, 144KB)