Expanding Seating Capacity with Parklets
When food and beverage businesses consider expanding seating capacity by building a parklet, there are a variety of location-specific factors to take into account. Generally speaking, parklets are intended to permit restaurant businesses to expand dining and drinking activity outside and is not intended for use by businesses to host entertainment activity.
Curbside dining is an intervention that extends the physical and functional aspects of a sidewalk by replacing a parking space with an elevated platform, or parklet. This extension of the public realm allows for additional areas for gathering and eating, includes planted areas, and space to rest and play. Regulations for the use of the parklet may vary parish to parish.
With support from the City of New Orleans and Greater New Orleans Foundation, StayLocal worked with local businesses in 2021 to experiment with parklet designs which would be accessible, replicable and unique to New Orleans. Through a design, construct, feedback, redesign, construct and user survey loop, we documented a typical process for a business owner as well as experienced permit review ourselves. See next page for application guide.
The City of New Orleans has provided application guidelines as well as a design guide so that applicants can consider all elements of the process of applying for a new, permanent parklet.
The six steps required for each business applying for a parklet are explained in detail on https://nola.gov/parklet-permit/
The standards for parklet designs are contained in a digital design guide below.
StayLocal worked with the following local businesses during the pilot phase of parklet design in 2021. Each is generally familiar with the ways in which parklet designs must conform to city standards before being built."
GoodWood NOLA | info@goodwoodnola.com | (504) 233-0051
NOLA Woodworks |info@nolawoodworks.com | (504) 782-8977
VPG Construction |contact form | (504) 249-5266
Tips / FAQs
This section will be updated regularly with questions we are hearing from the local business community. All of the follow is applicable for existing business locations in Orleans Parish only.
What is a Parklet?
A Parklet reimagines a parking spot on a city street adjacent to a restaurant or bar to provide for outdoor seating for the business between the hours of 8:00 am and 10:00 pm. Under the Parklet permit regulations, the parklet is a structure that is even with the sidewalk, has ADA access, and provides for proper water drainage in the street. Parklets may not be fastened or bolted to the street, curb, or sidewalk.
how do I know if i AM ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
You can find standard restrictions based on your New Orleans location here.
HOW SHOULD PARKLETS BE CONSTRUCTED?
Consult the Parklet Design Guide for information on the aesthetic aspects of the Parklet. Applicants will need stamped engineering plans that attest to the stability of the Parklet structure. Applicants must also submit a hurricane preparedness plan, including the stamped engineering plans, outlining the plan to either remove or secure the parklet during tropical weather events.
HOW LONG IS A PERMIT VALID?
Parklet permits are one-year permits and must be renewed annually. Learn more.
HOW LONG BEFORE I MUST REMOVE A NON-PERMITTED PARKLET?
If your business participated in the “pilot” parklet program, the timeline for removal was officially extended to March, 2024 (in Orleans Parish).
What are the steps to getting a parklet permit?
Fill out an application on the OneStop website and pay the application fee. Initial required documents include a site plan and photographs. The Department of Public Works (DPW) and Department of Safety and Permits will conduct an initial review to verify that a Parklet is allowed in your location. Next you will need to submit a more detailed design plan, proof of insurance, an indemnity agreement, an engineering plan, a maintenance and operations plan, and a hurricane preparedness plan. Once all requirements have been satisfied, you will pay the right-of-way usage fees (waived for the first year of the program) and the issuance fee to obtain your permit. Learn more.
WHere online do I submit the application
Watch this Scribe to locate the “Online Application” button
Who CAN I SPEAK WIth TO ASK PARKLET QUESTIONS?
Please call either Department of Public Works (504) 658-8000, Office of Economic Development (504) 658-4904, or Maryann Miller at StayLocal (504) 252-1259.
As a resource for business owners, StayLocal can share the most significant challenges faced when designing and constructing parklets, such as weather resistant materials selection, cost effective shading, and additional details. To learn more, contact Maryann Miller at (504) 252-1259 or info@staylocal.org
