Outdoor Dining Structures - Streateries and Parklets

Share Outdoor Dining Structures - Streateries and Parklets on Facebook Share Outdoor Dining Structures - Streateries and Parklets on Twitter Share Outdoor Dining Structures - Streateries and Parklets on Linkedin Email Outdoor Dining Structures - Streateries and Parklets link

Consultation has concluded

Picture of scrabble letters spelling out the word "family"

>>Find the latest information about City of Bellingham streateries at cob.org/outdoor-dining-structures-streateries-and-parklets

Streatery Assessment and Report Released (July 2023)

The Planning and Community Development Department has completed an assessment of the City’s streatery program, which allows restaurants to use the right-of-way for outdoor dining. The program was established before the COVID-19 pandemic to promote vibrant street life, prioritize pedestrian use, and support local businesses. Due to pandemic-related restaurant closures, more streateries were allowed to be constructed, and additional measures like overhead coverings and heating elements were permitted to support outdoor dining during winter. Between March 2020 and December 2022, around 30 streateries were permitted, mostly in the downtown district.

Before constructing a streatery, businesses must obtain a permit from the Public Works Department. The permitting process involves assessing traffic impacts, accessibility, and safety. Streateries with overhead coverings require additional building permits. The initial permit fee ranges from $150 to $350, with an annual renewal fee of $50.

In the fall of 2022, City staff collaborated with students from WWU's College of the Environment to assess the streatery program, considering existing conditions, public opinion, design, fees, and safety. The assessment included a visual survey of streateries, an online public opinion survey, and interviews with business owners. These findings were reviewed by City staff and committees of the Downtown Bellingham Partnership.

Based on the assessment, the report provides recommendations in various areas:

1. Design: Establish design guidelines, including ADA accessibility standards, open structure requirements, landscaping, and material recommendations.

2. Fees: Maintain current application fees but adopt an annual renewal fee based on 8% of square footage times average appraised land value plus Leasehold Excise Tax (~ $1,680/year per streatery, depending on size).

3. Safety: Implement safety measures such as proper spacing, accessibility, fire safety, visibility, and maintenance requirements.

The recommendations aim to improve the program's fairness and functionality while continuing to support active street uses.

The next steps involve seeking public input on the recommendations and providing an update to City Council. Once the new guidelines are adopted, existing permit holders will be notified and will have a year before the next annual renewal period to either bring their structure into compliance or determine that the structure should be removed.

>>Find the latest information about City of Bellingham streateries at cob.org/outdoor-dining-structures-streateries-and-parklets

Streatery Assessment and Report Released (July 2023)

The Planning and Community Development Department has completed an assessment of the City’s streatery program, which allows restaurants to use the right-of-way for outdoor dining. The program was established before the COVID-19 pandemic to promote vibrant street life, prioritize pedestrian use, and support local businesses. Due to pandemic-related restaurant closures, more streateries were allowed to be constructed, and additional measures like overhead coverings and heating elements were permitted to support outdoor dining during winter. Between March 2020 and December 2022, around 30 streateries were permitted, mostly in the downtown district.

Before constructing a streatery, businesses must obtain a permit from the Public Works Department. The permitting process involves assessing traffic impacts, accessibility, and safety. Streateries with overhead coverings require additional building permits. The initial permit fee ranges from $150 to $350, with an annual renewal fee of $50.

In the fall of 2022, City staff collaborated with students from WWU's College of the Environment to assess the streatery program, considering existing conditions, public opinion, design, fees, and safety. The assessment included a visual survey of streateries, an online public opinion survey, and interviews with business owners. These findings were reviewed by City staff and committees of the Downtown Bellingham Partnership.

Based on the assessment, the report provides recommendations in various areas:

1. Design: Establish design guidelines, including ADA accessibility standards, open structure requirements, landscaping, and material recommendations.

2. Fees: Maintain current application fees but adopt an annual renewal fee based on 8% of square footage times average appraised land value plus Leasehold Excise Tax (~ $1,680/year per streatery, depending on size).

3. Safety: Implement safety measures such as proper spacing, accessibility, fire safety, visibility, and maintenance requirements.

The recommendations aim to improve the program's fairness and functionality while continuing to support active street uses.

The next steps involve seeking public input on the recommendations and providing an update to City Council. Once the new guidelines are adopted, existing permit holders will be notified and will have a year before the next annual renewal period to either bring their structure into compliance or determine that the structure should be removed.

Consultation has concluded

Have a question about "streateries" or "parklets"? Just ask! 

Your question will be answered and posted here.

  • Share What’s the plan for the streateries that block traffic lanes (ie Holly and Champion)? I do not see any language in this report about how this will be handled. Did the city undertake a traffic engineering study before allowing these lanes to be closed? If not, will it? on Facebook Share What’s the plan for the streateries that block traffic lanes (ie Holly and Champion)? I do not see any language in this report about how this will be handled. Did the city undertake a traffic engineering study before allowing these lanes to be closed? If not, will it? on Twitter Share What’s the plan for the streateries that block traffic lanes (ie Holly and Champion)? I do not see any language in this report about how this will be handled. Did the city undertake a traffic engineering study before allowing these lanes to be closed? If not, will it? on Linkedin Email What’s the plan for the streateries that block traffic lanes (ie Holly and Champion)? I do not see any language in this report about how this will be handled. Did the city undertake a traffic engineering study before allowing these lanes to be closed? If not, will it? link

    What’s the plan for the streateries that block traffic lanes (ie Holly and Champion)? I do not see any language in this report about how this will be handled. Did the city undertake a traffic engineering study before allowing these lanes to be closed? If not, will it?

    User_9127 asked over 1 year ago

    The City’s traffic engineer assessed the closure of the left turn lane at Holly & Bay Street and the rechannelization of Champion Street and determined these changes are not detrimental to traffic circulation. The Mayor authorized the businesses in these areas to continue to use the traffic lanes and apply for renewal of their permits on an annual basis. Future traffic data could result in additional conditions or changes that would require compliance prior to the next annual renewal period.

  • Share Ah... So there already exist requirements for permanent streateries... Well, then the question becomes what is the present evaluation of the impact of those existing requirements? Are those requirements adequate and effective to promote greater quantity of streateries? What is their purpose and intent? Is it maximum safety and most rigorous construction and so could not possibly be functional in our present circumstances if our objective is to foster Streateries? Do the permanent structures regulations function effectively as a restriction on construction? And if so, do we want to consider making the permanent structures requirements less onerous to promote a larger amount of permanent streateries? Also on this front, are any of the current Streateris permanent? And if not, do you see what the problem is, or do I need to explain it more? on Facebook Share Ah... So there already exist requirements for permanent streateries... Well, then the question becomes what is the present evaluation of the impact of those existing requirements? Are those requirements adequate and effective to promote greater quantity of streateries? What is their purpose and intent? Is it maximum safety and most rigorous construction and so could not possibly be functional in our present circumstances if our objective is to foster Streateries? Do the permanent structures regulations function effectively as a restriction on construction? And if so, do we want to consider making the permanent structures requirements less onerous to promote a larger amount of permanent streateries? Also on this front, are any of the current Streateris permanent? And if not, do you see what the problem is, or do I need to explain it more? on Twitter Share Ah... So there already exist requirements for permanent streateries... Well, then the question becomes what is the present evaluation of the impact of those existing requirements? Are those requirements adequate and effective to promote greater quantity of streateries? What is their purpose and intent? Is it maximum safety and most rigorous construction and so could not possibly be functional in our present circumstances if our objective is to foster Streateries? Do the permanent structures regulations function effectively as a restriction on construction? And if so, do we want to consider making the permanent structures requirements less onerous to promote a larger amount of permanent streateries? Also on this front, are any of the current Streateris permanent? And if not, do you see what the problem is, or do I need to explain it more? on Linkedin Email Ah... So there already exist requirements for permanent streateries... Well, then the question becomes what is the present evaluation of the impact of those existing requirements? Are those requirements adequate and effective to promote greater quantity of streateries? What is their purpose and intent? Is it maximum safety and most rigorous construction and so could not possibly be functional in our present circumstances if our objective is to foster Streateries? Do the permanent structures regulations function effectively as a restriction on construction? And if so, do we want to consider making the permanent structures requirements less onerous to promote a larger amount of permanent streateries? Also on this front, are any of the current Streateris permanent? And if not, do you see what the problem is, or do I need to explain it more? link

    Ah... So there already exist requirements for permanent streateries... Well, then the question becomes what is the present evaluation of the impact of those existing requirements? Are those requirements adequate and effective to promote greater quantity of streateries? What is their purpose and intent? Is it maximum safety and most rigorous construction and so could not possibly be functional in our present circumstances if our objective is to foster Streateries? Do the permanent structures regulations function effectively as a restriction on construction? And if so, do we want to consider making the permanent structures requirements less onerous to promote a larger amount of permanent streateries? Also on this front, are any of the current Streateris permanent? And if not, do you see what the problem is, or do I need to explain it more?

    ECT asked about 2 years ago

    Currently permitted streateries may be renewed on an annual basis, and new permit applications continue to be accepted. The streatery program analysis is assessing all aspects of the program, including fees, design standards, safety requirements and community sentiment. This includes reaching out to individual businesses to conduct interviews and surveys of how the program is working from the owner perspective. We continue to be interested in how various requirements may impact the management, longevity and construction of new streatery structures. Feel free to reach out to Darby Galligan and/or Tammi Laninga directly if you'd like to share additional details on your perspective. 

  • Share What are the requirements to make the "streateries" a permanent feature? I like their pedestrian focus for downtown. Less cars, more people, please. on Facebook Share What are the requirements to make the "streateries" a permanent feature? I like their pedestrian focus for downtown. Less cars, more people, please. on Twitter Share What are the requirements to make the "streateries" a permanent feature? I like their pedestrian focus for downtown. Less cars, more people, please. on Linkedin Email What are the requirements to make the "streateries" a permanent feature? I like their pedestrian focus for downtown. Less cars, more people, please. link

    What are the requirements to make the "streateries" a permanent feature? I like their pedestrian focus for downtown. Less cars, more people, please.

    ECT asked about 2 years ago

    The requirements for permanent streateries are outlined in the City's Commercial Right-of-Way Use guide. There is a link to this document under "important links" on this page.