Al Fresco Dining Is Here to Stay, But Changes Are Afoot

Countless restaurants closed during the height of the pandemic. But outdoor dining was a saving grace for many restaurants after the Los Angeles City Council approved rules in 2020 for setting up tables and chairs on sidewalks, parking lots, and streets.

On Friday, the City Council unanimously voted 14-0 to make many of the Al Fresco program's relaxed regulations permanent.

But the new law is requiring restaurants to include one ADA parking space on the property — an amendment added during a November committee meeting.

However, the city council last week carved out an exemption for restaurants with less than 3,000 square feet of floor space, or outdoor dining areas that are less than 1,000 square feet.

Restaurants that serve booze must pay $400 for an outdoor alcohol permit.

Councilmember Traci Park praised the passage of the new ordinance in last week's council meeting.

"Al fresco helped hundreds of restaurants during the pandemic [by] keeping their doors open and money in the pockets of workers," she said, adding that the ordinance would help protect restaurants and workers' "continued vitality and viability."

A recent study by UCLA's Institute of Transportation Studies showed Al Fresco dining generated an increase of $12 million in gross sales in 2022 compared to 2019.

Graham Rossmore, the study's author, says the Al Fresco program has been a boost for local businesses and a catalyst for fostering vibrant public spaces.

"Al Fresco created vibrant outdoor spaces for the community, and the flexibility to repurpose parking spaces was crucial to its success," he said. "Transitioning to a permanent program will enhance the City's' economic and social well-being, increasing sales, tax revenue, and community spaces all across Los Angeles."

Under the new Al Fresco rules, restaurants are prohibited from the following:

• Background music and speakers 
• Television monitors
• Live music

They must abide by these rules:

• Close by 10:30 p.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and no later than 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. 
• A sign reminding guests to respect surrounding neighbors should be present in the outdoor dining area. 

The phone number to dial for any concerns regarding an Al Fresco operation is 311. A database tracking complaints will be established by the Department of Building and Safety. Noise complaints will be handled by the Los Angeles Police Department.

The new law currently needs a final signature from Mayor Karen Bass.