In 2020, the City of Dayton launched a pilot program to create temporary outdoor dining and customer service areas to assist businesses in expanding seating capacity while meeting social distancing health and safety requirements. As the community works to recover from this crisis while keeping our community safe, we are extending the Pop-Up Patio Program through the end of 2021.

The Pop-Up Patio Program provides businesses with guidance on planning, installing, and operating new patios and customer seating on private property or in public right-of-way areas, including sidewalks or curbside parking zones.

The intent of the Pop-Up Patio Program is to help our business community recoup lost internal capacity by providing a streamlined permitting process for exterior seating and retail spaces. The program is not intended to support large exterior party venues or to accommodate large gatherings. Any application or proposal that violates this intent will be denied approval.

The first step is to download the Pop-Up Patio Application Guidebook. This guidebook will walk you through all the criteria required for your expanded seating area. There are three types of spaces eligible through this program:

  • Temporary patios, installed adjacent to your existing patio, or within private-owned space, like a parking lot.
  • Temporary parklets, which are installed in on-street parking spaces and accessible to the public.
  • Temporary pedlets, which are pedestrian thoroughfares built into on-street parking spaces to enable safe passage of pedestrians around expanded or pop-up patios.


    • Definitions, requirements, and photographic representations of each type of temporary outdoor seating space are included in the City’s Pop-Up Patio Application Guidebook.

    In recognition of the needs of businesses, guidance is provided for both temporary and permanent (beyond December 31, 2021) installations.

    Download the Application Guidebook

    Renewals

    For businesses who had a Pop-Up Patio approved in 2020 and would like to renew their Pop-Up Patio Permit, please fill out and submit this renewal form.

    PROCESS OVERVIEW

    Your pop-up patio will need various forms of approval. The City of Dayton, Public Health, and the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Liquor Control are all aware of the initiative and will review your information as quickly as possible. The steps are summarized below.

    Creating a Pop-Up Patio on property you own or lease?
    1. Read Pop-Up Patio Application Guidelines
    2. Get permission from landlord and/or neighbors (if applicable)
    3. Create rough sketch of proposed patio
    4. Ensure sketch includes safety structures and physical barriers recommended in application guidelines
    5. Submit sketch and all other required information to City of Dayton zoning. Be sure your application is complete before submitting. This will expedite the approval process
    6. If sales and consumption of alcohol will take place on patio/parklet/pedlet, submit “request for expansion of permit premises” and file with the Ohio Department of Commerce after obtaining permission from Public Health
    Creating a Pop-Up Patio in the public right-of-way?
    1. Read the Pop-Up Patio Application Guidelines
    2. Choose site for patio/parklet/pedlet
    3. Get permission from landlord and/or neighbors (if applicable)
    4. Submit application to the City of Dayton Public Works department. Follow the steps in the application guidebook to ensure your application is complete. This will expedite the approval process
    5. If sales and consumption of alcohol will take place on patio/parklet/pedlet, submit “request for expansion of permit premises” and file with the Ohio Department of Commerce, after obtaining permission from Public Health and the City of Dayton

    After obtaining approval, install your expanded outdoor seating area, adhering to all guidelines set forth by the City of Dayton and State of Ohio. Continue to maintain the space until deconstruction by December 21, 2021. There will be surveys to gauge the success of the program during and after the pilot phase.

    Ohio Divison of Liquor Control

    Temporary Expansion Request
    FAQs - Expansion Applications During COVID-19

    The permit holder should contact the Division of Liquor Control, Department of Commerce’s Superintendant and Chief of Licensing Section at (614) 644-9201 for more information.

    City of Dayton

    View the City's Pop Up Patio Page

    Contact:
    Susan Vincent
    susan.vincent@daytonohio.gov
    937-333-3683

    More Resources

    The City of Dayton's Application Guidebook should be your primary source of information, but we've provided supplemental information below to help you navigate the process and expedite your pop-up patio.

    DIY Planter Boxes
    Tactical Urbanist's Guide (some inspiration for patio ideas and materials)

    DDP Contacts

    Val Beerbower
    Director of First-Floor Development
    & Business Marketing
    beerbower@downtowndayton.org