Roadway Cafe: How to Operate

General Requirements

• Roadway cafes must be kept clean, well-maintained, and clear of trash, debris, graffiti, vermin, food scraps, and unsanitary conditions. The restaurant must also clean 1 foot 6 inches on all sides surrounding the setup area.
  • If flooring is used, the restaurant must remove the flooring and clean under it at least once a week.
• A restaurant must maintain good order including proper conduct of patrons and preventing excessive congregation of restaurant patrons immediately adjacent to the cafe.
• Service of restaurant patrons must take place within the cafe, not from the adjacent sidewalk or roadbed.
• Furnishings and decorative elements such as tables, chairs, tabletop lighting, etc. must be secured during non-operating hours, but cannot impede or block access to utility infrastructure.
• Umbrellas and overhead coverings must be secured during inclement weather such as high winds or heavy snow.
• No smoking or e-cigarettes are allowed.
• Unreasonable Noise:
  • No musical instruments or amplified sound unless authorized by a Street Activity Permit.
  • Must comply with the NYC Noise Control Code, including all restrictions and prohibitions relating to unreasonable noise pursuant to subdivisions (a) and (a-1) of section 24-218 of the Administrative Code.  
  • NYC DOT may refer community disputes to alternative dispute resolution through the Mediating Establishment and Neighbor Disputes NYC program (MEND NYC). 
• Alcohol may only be served if permitted by the NYS Liquor Authority.
• A restaurant must keep on hand a copy of their roadway cafe license and make it available upon request by a government official or inspector.