After the success and positive feedback for its “L.A. Al Fresco” program from customers and restaurant owners, the Los Angeles City Council is moving to make the initiative permanent.

The L.A. Al Fresco Program was first announced in May 2020, as an initiative to make pandemic restrictions easier for restaurants by streamlining the process for outdoor permits. LA Al Fresco endeavors to help local food purveyors reopen safely and allow customers and employees to maintain physical distancing by temporarily relaxing the rules that regulate outdoor dining. LA Al Fresco allows restaurants, permitted sidewalk food vendors, and food trucks to use sidewalks, private parking lots, street parking spaces, lane closures, and street closures for dining. The program is scheduled to terminate after public health restrictions on indoor dining are lifted.

In August 2020, some Council members suggested making the L.A. Al Fresco program permanent, so that restaurants can have access to a streamlined permitting process for outdoor dining.

The City Council’s Transportation Committee reviewed the issue and has approved continuing with the program and using San Pedro’s outdoor dining program as a model. 

The City Council has asked for feedback from a number of departments including the Fire Department and the City Attorney’s Office before it finalizes what a permanent L.A. Al Fresco program will look like.