City elected officials and staff have been in regular contact with our restaurant and bar operators during the period of COVID-19 restrictions. Even as restrictions are relaxed, many establishments may still find challenges in ensuring staff and patron safety.
Dine Out Des Moines is a temporary program to make it easier for restaurants and bars to adhere to social distancing guidelines by allowing outside service on sidewalks, City streets and private parking areas outside of their establishment, without the need to meet certain City code and permit requirements.
This program requires business owners to apply with City staff for these temporary exceptions. The program will expire 30 days after the state wide public health emergency has been lifted.
Download Permit Application Form
Parking lots on the same lot as the establishment
- Outside area limited to 30% of the parking spaces or 50% of the allowed interior seating whichever is less.
- Adjacent to within a reasonable distance from the service access to the building.
- A six-foot unobstructed ADA compliant sidewalk must be maintained from the remaining parking area to the entrance to the food service establishment and outdoor eating area.
- Tables and chairs must be placed with 6’ separation.
- No more than 6 people may be seated at a table.
- Seating is allowed with food service and limited to a 1.5-hour time limit per table.
- Hours of operation – outdoor service to end at
- Provide adequate lighting for the service area facing downward and shielded.
- If there is service of alcohol the service area must be fenced off and non-patrons must not be allowed into the area.
Sidewalk areas adjacent to the establishment
- Seating for the restaurant may be placed in front of the neighboring business with written permission of the lease holder.
- And/or city permission.
- A six-foot unobstructed ADA compliant sidewalk must be maintained in front of businesses and to parking areas.
- Proof of insurance must be provided to cover the expanded area.
- Tables and chairs must be placed with 6’ separation.
- No more than 6 people may be seated at a table.
- Seating is allowed with food service and limited to a 1.5-hour time limit per table.
- Hours of operation – outdoor service to end at
- Provide adequate lighting for the service area facing downward and shielded
- If there is service of alcohol the service area must be fenced off and non-patrons must not be allowed into the area.
Staff will be authorized to enter temporary leases for these areas. The applicant must supply the required proof of insurance and other documents as required for a sidewalk lease agreement.
Should a business fail to comply, they will be subject to an order to immediately vacate the outdoor seating areas as allowed in this temporary program.
Parking spaces in front of the establishment
- Parking spaces directly in front a food service establishment on the same parcel with written permission of the property owner or manager.
- A six-foot unobstructed ADA compliant sidewalk must be maintained in front of businesses and between the outside seating area.
- Proof of insurance must be provided to cover the expanded area.
- Tables and chairs must be placed with 6’ separation.
- No more than 6 people may be seated at a table.
- Seating is allowed with food service and limited to a 1.5-hour time limit per table.
- Hours of operation – outdoor service to end at
- Provide adequate lighting for the service area facing downward and shielded
- The service area must be fenced off to delineate the outside service area.
Staff will be authorized to enter temporary leases for these areas. The applicant must supply the required proof of insurance and other documents as required for a sidewalk lease agreement.
Should a business fail to comply, they will be subject to an order to immediately vacate the outdoor seating areas as allowed in this temporary program.
Parking spaces, on city streets (parklets) and sidewalks, adjacent to the establishment
- Sidewalks and parking spaces directly in front a food service establishment.
- Or on city sidewalks, right of way or street.
- A six-foot unobstructed ADA compliant sidewalk must be maintained in front of businesses and between the outside seating area, or
- The six-foot unobstructed ADA compliant sidewalk shall be maintained in such a manner that the walkway goes around the outside seating area.
- Proof of insurance must be provided to cover the expanded area.
- Tables and chairs must be placed with 6’ separation.
- No more than 6 people may be seated at a table.
- Seating is allowed with food service and limited to a 1.5-hour time limit per table.
- Hours of operation – outdoor service to end at
- Provide adequate lighting for the service area facing downward and shielded
- The service area must be fenced off with jersey barriers (that are approved as a NCHRP Report 350 TL-3 temporary traffic barrier) or other substantial barrier to delineate the outside service area and protect patrons.
- A special parking permit would be required for the reservation and use of any metered spaces. The reservation can be made a maximum of 30 days in advance and the permit would be valid.
Staff will be authorized to enter temporary leases for these areas. The applicant must supply the required proof of insurance and other documents as required for a sidewalk lease agreement.
Should a business fail to comply, they will be subject to an order to immediately vacate the outdoor seating areas as allowed in this temporary program.
