MTA Structures
A sidewalk cafe must maintain the following clearances from MTA infrastructure:
- 15 feet minimum from a subway stair entrance (open side)
- 10 feet minimum from an elevator entrance (open side)
- 5 feet minimum from all other sides (closed)
- 3 feet minimum from an elevated structure
Review how to measure from MTA structures and view common MTA entrance conditions below.
- Measure 15 feet from the nearest corner of the subway stair entrance to your setup area.
- Repeat the same process for an elevator entrance, but keep 10 feet clear.
- Keep 5 feet clear from all other sides of an elevator or subway stair.
- If your setup is under an elevated structure, measure 3 feet from the outside face of the column that is closest to your setup area. Keep that distance clear.
- Subway stair at the curb.
- Subway stair at the building line. (Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
- Subway stair in the building. (Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
- Subway stair to an elevated subway station. (Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
- Elevator to a subway station. (Photo: Metropolitan Transportation Authority)
Objects that require 10 feet Clearance
A setup area must maintain 10 feet from the objects below. Review how to measure from objects that need 10 feet of clearance or view images of those objects below.
- Measure 10 feet from the nearest edge of the object listed to the edge of your setup area.
- FDNY curb cut.
- Exhaust duct.
Objects that require 5 feet Clearance
A setup area must maintain 5 feet from the objects below. Review how to measure from objects that need 5 feet clearance or view images of those objects below.
- Measure 5 feet from the nearest edge of the object listed to the edge of your setup area.
- Primary building entrance.
- Curb cuts.
- Emergency exit hatch.
- Siamese connections and standpipes.
- Citi Bike stations.
- Bike parking.
- Micromobility stations on the sidewalk (e.g., electric-scooter parking).
Furnishing Zone Objects
A sidewalk cafe must maintain required clear path. The objects below are generally located in the Furnishing Zone and require a minimum of 8 feet of clearance. Review how to measure from objects that need 8 feet of clearance or view images below.
- Maintain clear path!
- Note that a pedestrian ramp is considered an object and clear path must be maintained from the top of the ramp to the cafe.
- Street tree bed.
- Mailbox.
- LinkNYC kiosk.
- WalkNYC Wayfinding sign.
- E-Charging station.
- Parking meter.
- Select Bus Service fare machines.
- Newsstand.
- Street light.
- Bus stop (poles and shelter).
- Fire hydrant.
- Traffic signal pole
Objects you cannot block
The objects listed below can be located within a sidewalk cafe, but the elements of the cafe cannot be located over or block access to the objects. No specific distance must be maintained. Review how to measure from objects you cannot block or view images below.
- Freight elevators or service entrances
- Retail and non-primary building entrances
- Building projections (stoop, steps, stairs, etc.)
Elements of a sidewalk cafe may cover a cellar or basement door only if the door is not a means of egress, the door is closed and reinforced, and the safety of locating any elements on the door is certified by a registered design professional per the form provided by NYC DOT.
- The setup area and elements within the setup area cannot block or prevent access to the objects listed!
- Freight elevator and service entrances.
- Retail and non-primary building entrances.
- Building projections (stoop, steps, stairs, etc.)
- Cellar and basement doors (only if certified by a design professional).
Fire Escapes
No portion of a sidewalk cafe can encroach upon, block, or attach to a fire escape. Review a diagram on how to not impact fire escapes or view an image of a fire escape below.
- No portion of a sidewalk cafe including vertical elements like an awning or umbrella can block or be attached in any way to a fire escape.
- Fire escape.
Utility Clearances
A sidewalk cafe must maintain 3 feet from a transformer vault. Review how to measure from a transformer vault or view an image of a transformer vault below.
A setup area must maintain 1 foot 6 inches from the vent infrastructure including but not limited to the objects listed below. Review how to measure from vent infrastructure or view images below.
Manholes may be located within a sidewalk setup area provided 1 foot 6 inches are maintained around the cover. Review how to measure from manhole covers or view an image of a manhole cover below.
Remaining utility coverings, including but not limited to those listed below, may be located within a sidewalk cafe provided elements within the cafe do not prevent visual location or access to the utility covering. Review how to measure to not block access or view images below.
- Measure 3 feet from the nearest edge of the transformer vault to the edge of your sidewalk cafe.
- Transformer vault.
- Measure 1 foot 6 inches from the nearest edge of the object listed to the edge of your sidewalk cafe.
- At-grade ventilator grates.
- Subway grates.
- Vent poles. (Credit: DEP)
- Measure 1 foot 6 inches from the nearest edge of the manhole to any object within the sidewalk cafe.
- Manhole covers.
- Do not block visual or physical access to the utility covering.
- Gas shut-off valve.
- Water shut-off valve.
- Oil fill pipe.
- Pull box.