NYC Outdoor Dining Program Faces Major Backlog

<img src="https://static01.nyt.com/images/2025/02/14/multimedia/14ny-dining-sheds-ztfm/14ny-dining-sheds-ztfm-articleLarge.jpg?quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;disable=upscale" alt="An outdoor dining shed decorated with foliage." >

New York City's new permanent outdoor dining program, set to launch April 1st, is facing a massive backlog. While nearly 4,000 applications have been submitted for licenses, only 39 have been approved so far. This leaves many restaurant owners worried about their businesses.

The Road to Outdoor Dining 2.0

During the pandemic, outdoor dining became a lifeline for many restaurants. Thousands of sheds popped up across the city, transforming streetscapes. However, some viewed these structures as eyesores. Last year, the city ordered the removal of all temporary sheds to create a more formalized system.

Bureaucratic Bottleneck

The current slow approval process is causing significant anxiety for restaurant owners. Philip Guardione, chef and owner of Piccola Cucina Osteria Siciliana, stated that without outdoor dining, he doesn't want to continue in this business. The slow processing of licenses threatens to significantly impact many NYC restaurants' revenue during the upcoming peak season.

What's Next?

The situation highlights a major challenge in NYC's attempt to streamline the outdoor dining system. The significant delay in license approvals could lead to financial difficulties for many restaurants, as the busy season approaches and without outdoor seating, restaurants may be significantly negatively impacted.