Sidewalk Cafe — License Not Available on Premises

A licensee must retain a copy of the DOT-issued license on the premises of the sidewalk cafe or roadway cafe and make it available for inspection upon request by any city agency employee. Operating without the license available is a violation.

• no license or permit placard visible at active sidewalk cafe
• outdoor dining area in operation with no DOT license posted or displayed
• newly established outdoor dining setup with no visible permit documentation

1. Photograph the obstruction from sidewalk level showing clear path width.
2. Capture any posted DOT dining license or permit if visible.
3. File via 311 under Sidewalk Café / Outdoor Dining, or use SidewalkSnitch dining analysis.
4. Describe how pedestrians are forced into the street or bike lane.

Official channel: portal.311.nyc.gov or dial 311. Agency: NYC DOT.

DOT may issue notices of violation to licensed cafés; unlicensed setups can face removal orders and fines. Repeat violations can affect license renewal.

DOT Sidewalk Café Inspection responds to encroachment complaints. Licensed sites are measured against permit bounds; unlicensed structures may be tagged for removal.

• Outdoor dining violations