Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit (curb lane or street closure): Chicago restaurant guide
Chicago BACP / CDOT
What it is
Chicago's permanent program for dining in the curb lane in front of your restaurant, or a full street closure shared by three or more restaurants, where the sidewalk is too narrow for a sidewalk café. Permits to serve on private parking lots are no longer issued.
When a restaurant needs it
Outdoor seating in the roadway, May 1 through October 31 each year. Must hold a Retail Food Establishment, Tavern or COP license.
How to apply
Apply in the City of Chicago Inspection, Permitting & Licensing portal (Permits > Create Permit > 'CDOT Outdoor Dining'), enter the restaurant, emergency contact, occupancy and location, and upload the requested documents.
Documents you’ll need
- Valid Retail Food, Tavern or COP license
- Site plan of the curb-lane area with barriers
- Certificate of insurance
- Emergency contact
Good to know
Take the Outdoor Dining Eligibility Quiz on the BACP page first. Alcohol in the curb lane follows your liquor license and the outdoor dining rules; confirm with your BACP consultant.
Official source
BACP — Chicago's outdoor dining program · Portal user guide — CDOT Outdoor Dining permit
Answer a few questions about your space and get every permit in order, with a timeline, a cost range, walkthroughs, and every application filled in for you to sign with Open.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Guidance only, not legal advice.