Sidewalk Cafe — Full Clearances Table (Subway Elevator, Exhaust, Curb Cuts, Tree Beds, Mailboxes, Manholes)

Per 34 RCNY §5-11(a)(1)(iv), an open-air sidewalk cafe must maintain these minimum distances from listed elements: Subway Stair (open/entry side) 15 ft; Subway Elevator Entrance 10 ft; Exhaust Ducts 10 ft; MTA or FDNY Curb Cuts 10 ft; Edges of Street Tree Beds 8 ft; Mailboxes 8 ft. Furniture and decorative items must additionally be at least 1 foot 6 inches from manhole covers and must not block access to utility infrastructure (control cabinets, utility poles, telecom pull boxes, ground-level boxes).

• tables or chairs within ~10 ft of a subway elevator or street-level exhaust grate
• cafe furniture closer than ~10 ft to an MTA / FDNY driveway curb cut
• planters or chairs encroaching on a street tree pit (within ~8 ft)
• mailbox blocked or surrounded by cafe furniture within ~8 ft
• furniture or planters covering or immediately adjacent to a manhole cover
• cafe setup obstructing access to a utility cabinet, telecom pull box, or street pole

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