King Street Outdoor Dining

The King Street Outdoor Dining Overlay Zone is intended to enhance the vitality of King Street by creating an active streetscape. Restaurants in the Overlay Zone may apply for a permit to use the public right-of-way on the sidewalk for outdoor dining. Permit applications are reviewed by City staff to ensure compliance with the King Street Outdoor Dining Standards and Design Guidelines, and that the public's use of sidewalks is not impaired.
Page updated on April 11, 2023 at 1:52 PM

Update

On February 25, 2023, City Council voted to extend the expiration date for sidewalk dining permits granted via the King Street Outdoor Dining Program program from 4/1 to 10/1 in order to align the sidewalk dining permit expirations with that of the City's parklet permits.

Existing sidewalk dining permit holders will receive contact from and/or should contact City staff in mid-May 2023 to receive confirmation of the results of City Council’s review to incorporate the parklet and sidewalk dining application into a single, unified permit process administered by the Department of Transportation & Environmental Services.

How to Apply for a King Street Outdoor Dining Permit for Sidewalk Dining

New application or changes to a previous approval

  1. Check to see if your business is eligible to participate by reviewing the King Street Outdoor Dining Overlay Zone Map. Businesses in other areas of the City may consult Planning & Zoning staff about pursuing an alternative approval path for outdoor dining opportunities on sidewalks.
  2. Review the City of Alexandria Outdoor Design Guidelines.
  3. Submit a complete King Street Outdoor Dining Application to the Department of Planning & Zoning via Alexandria's Permitting and Land Use System (APEX). A complete application package contains the signed application and all items listed on the checklist.
  4. City staff will review the application package and conduct site visits to verify compliance with the program standards and guidelines. Once compliance is verified, businesses may pay the application fee.

 

Renewals from a previous approval With No Changes  

  1. Submit a complete King Street Outdoor Dining Application to the Department of Planning & Zoning via Alexandria's Permitting and Land Use System (APEX). A complete application package contains the signed application and all items listed on the checklist . 
  2. Set up the outdoor dining pursuant to the submitted plan.
  3. City staff will conduct a site visit to verify compliance with the program standards and guidelines. Once compliance is verified, businesses pay the application fee.

Questions?

For more information about the King Street Outdoor Dining Program, contact Planning & Zoning staff at PCZoning@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4333.